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THE  CHURCH  AND 
MODERN  PROBLEMS 


P.  B.  Fltzwater 


/  •  n  ,^i 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


BS  2675.2  .F58  1914 
Fitzwater,  P.  B.  1871-1957 
The  church  and  modern 
problems  in  the  light  of 


JA! 


THE  CHUPvCH  AND 
MODERN  PROBLEMS 


In  the  Light  of  the  Teaching  of 
Paul  in  First  Corinthians 


y/''  By 

P.  B.  FITZWATEK,  D.  D. 

Instructor  in  the  Bible  Course  of  The  Moody  Bible  Institute 
of  Chicago 


With  Introduction  by 

PARLEY  E.  ZARTMANN,  D.  D. 


CHICAGO 

The  Bible  Institute  Colportage  Ass'n 

826  North  La  Salle  Street 


Copyright,  1914,  by 
P.    B.    FITZ  WATER 


CONTENTS 

PAGE3 

Introduction  by  Dr.  Parley  E. 
Zartmann 7 

I.     Introductory;  Importance 9 

II.     The  True  Church  of  God 17 

III.  Church  Factions ;  or  Sectarianism 
— Its  Cause  and  Cure  (Chap- 
ters 1:10-4:21) 24 

'    IV.     Church  Disciphne  (Chapter  5)  -     38 

V.     Litigation  Among  Church  Mem- 
bers (Chapter  6:1-11) 48 

VI.     The  Christian's  Estimate  of  His 

Body  (Chapter  6:12-20) 55 

VII.  Marriage:  Advice  to  the  Married 
and  to  the  Unmarried  (Chap- 
ter 7)    63 

VIII.     Christian  Liberty  and  Forbear- 
ance (Chapters  8-10) 76 

IX.     Proper  Decorum   in   the   Pubhc 

Assembly  (Chapter  11) 89 

X.     Spiritual  Gifts  (Chapters  12-14)   100 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

XI.     The   Resurrection   of   the   Body 

(Chapter  15) 112 

Appendix.      Outhne    Study    of 
First  Corinthians 123 


INTRODUCTION 

Has  the  Church  any  answer  to  modern 
problems?  Is  the  Bible  still  a  sufficient  rule 
of  faith  and  a  safe  guide  for  daily  practice? 
May  the  Christian  know  how  he  ought  to  walk 
so  as  to  bring  no  dishonor  upon  the  name  of 
Him  whom  he  professes  to  love  and  serve? 
Or,  must  the  present-day  believer  find  some 
other  book  for  his  guide,  some  other  organiza- 
tion for  his  fellowship,  some  other  person  for 
his  leader? 

These,  and  other  questions,  are  raised  by  the 
complexity  of  modern  life,  by  the  infidelity  of 
the  worldling,  and  because  of  the  unchristian 
attitude  and  actions  of  many  members  of 
Christ's  Church.  And  the  need  for  definite 
answer  is  great  and  urgent;  the  Church  has 
everything  to  gain  by  a  clear  setting  forth  of 
the  teaching  of  her  Lord  with  reference  to 
problems  of  conduct;  she  will  gain  in  the  in- 
tensity of  her  own  spiritual  life,  the  influence 
of  her  presence  in  the  world  as  a  witness  for 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

Christ,  and  her  testimony  to  the  grace  of  God 
that  bringeth  salvation. 

Dr.  Fitzwater  has  rendered  valuable  service 
in  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  First 
Epistle  to  the  Corinthians  presents  clear, 
unmistakable,  and  adequate  answers  to  many 
modern  problems.  He  has  brought  things 
new  and  old  out  of  the  treasury.  He  has  set 
forth  in  virile,  wholesome  and  pungent 
language  the  fact  that  the  gospel  of  Christ 
is  still  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation;  and 
that,  as  embodied  in  the  teaching  of  St.  Paul 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  in  this  Epistle,  it  does  en- 
able the  Christian  to  live  soberly  and  right- 
eously and  godly  in  this  present  world. 

Chicago,  III.  Parley  E.  Zartmann 


I 

INTRODUCTORY;  IMPORTANCE 

The  teachings  of  Paul,  in  1  Corinthians,  is  of 
perennial  interest  to  the  Bible  student  and 
Christian  worker  because  of  its  practical  bear- 
ing upon  church  life  and  activity.  The  title 
of  these  articles  was  suggested  by  the  circum- 
stances gathered  around  the  founding  of  this 
church  and  Paul's  method  of  deahng  with  the 
difficulties  which  arose  within  it.  It  is  here 
that  we  see  Christianity  in  conflict  with 
heathenism — the  Church  established  in  the 
midst  of  a  refined  and  corrupt  people.  It  was 
natural  that  under  such  circumstances  ques- 
tions should  arise  touching  the  relations  of 
Christians  to  the  surrounding  heathen. 

In  this  Epistle  are  unfolded  principles  which 
relate  to  the  proper  discipline  of  the  Church; 
the  correct  basis  of  social  intercourse;  the 
rights  and  claims  of  the  marriage  relation ;  the 
proper  decorum  in  the  public  assembly;  the 
origin  and  exercise  of  spiritual  gifts;  and  the 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

nature  of  the  resurrection  body.  Here,  then, 
the  foreign  missionary  can  learn  the  proper 
method  to  use  in  the  founding  of  a  church, 
even  in  the  midst  of  a  cultured,  heathen  peo- 
ple. The  Christian  pastor,  likewise,  can  find 
the  proper  methods  to  use  in  the  solution  of 
the  problems  which  confront  him  in  church  life. 
They  may  never  have  to  deal  with  the  prob- 
lems herein  enumerated,  but  the  principles  in- 
volved in  Paul's  acts  and  decisions  are  of  uni- 
versal application  and  will  answer  as  guides 
in  all  ages. 

The  Church  can  expect  to  have  to  deal  with 
party  spirit;  to  administer  discipHne;  to  cor- 
rect the  social  relations  of  her  members;  to 
maintain  church  order;  to  set  forth  the  true 
significance  of  the  Lord's  Supper;  to  exhibit 
the  nature  of  the  body  of  Christ  as  an  organ- 
ism; to  instruct  as  to  the  origin  and  right  use 
of  spiritual  gifts;  and  to  emphasize  the  truth 
of  the  resurrection  of  the  body. 

Thus  we  see  that  the  teachings  of  this  book 
have  a  practical  bearing  upon  the  establishing 
of  the  Church  in  heathen  lands,  as  well  as  the 
direction  of  its  affairs  in  Christian  lands,  be- 

10 


INTRODUCTORY;     IMPORTANCE 

coming  a  manual  for  foreign  missionaries  and 
Christian  pastors  at  home  and  abroad. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  CORINTH 

In  Paul's  time  it  was  the  largest  city  in 
Greece.  The  Roman  general  Mummius  de- 
stroyed it  in  146  B.  C.  It  lay  in  ruins  for  one 
hundred  years  until  rebuilt  by  Julius  Caesar 
in  46  B.  C.  Its  situation  determined  its  great- 
ness. It  was  located  on  the  Isthmus  of 
Corinth,  which  had  an  important  seaport  on 
each  side  through  which  the  commerce  of  the 
world  flowed.  Because  of  its  situation  it  could 
impose  toll  on  all  goods  passing  through,  re- 
sulting in  the  piling  up  of  vast  wealth.  Its 
population  was  a  mixed  multitude.  Traders 
from  all  parts  of  the  commercial  world  met 
there. 

As  Corinth  increased  in  wealth  it  increased 
correspondingly  in  wickedness.  It  was  a  verit- 
able hot-bed  of  all  sorts  of  vice,  being  notori- 
ously licentious.  A  word  was  coined  to  ex- 
press this  condition.  To  play  "the  Corinthian" 
meant  to  be  guilty  of  the  deepest  immorality. 
"The  vice  of  the  East  and  West  met  and 

u 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

clasped  hands  in  the  work  of  human  degrada- 
tion." Religion  itself  was  turned  into  prosti- 
tution. A  great  temple  was  erected  there 
where  thousands  of  fallen  women  ministered 
as  priestesses  in  this  odious  worship.  This 
temple  was  dedicated  to  the  goddess  Aphrodite 
corresponding  to  the  Roman  Venus.  "Greek 
philosophy  in  its  decay  showed  itself  in  end- 
less discussion  about  words,  non-essentials,  a 
tendency  to  set  intellectual  above  moral  dis- 
tinctions, and  a  denial  of  the  future  life  for 
the  sake  of  an  unlimited  enjoyment  of  the 
present."  This  gives  us  some  idea  of  the  con- 
ditions which  Paul  had  to  meet  when  he  en- 
tered upon  his  work  there  about  the  middle  of 
the  first  century. 

HISTORY   OF   THE   FOUNDING   OF   THE    CHURCH 
AT  CORINTH 

This  is  recorded  in  the  eighteenth  chapter 
of  the  book  of  Acts.  Coming  from  Athens 
to  Corinth  on  his  second  missionary  journey, 
Paul  was  joined  by  Timothy  and  Silas  (Acts 
18 :5 ) .  Being  a  stranger  in  this  city  and  with- 
out the  means  of  support,  he  associated  him- 

13 


INTRODUCTORY;     IMPORTANCE 

self  with  Aquila,  a  Jew  who,  with  Priscilla, 
his  wife,  was  banished  from  Rome  by  the  edict 
of  Claudius.  While  lodging  in  this  house  he 
joined  with  them  in  the  making  of  tents,  for 
he  was  of  the  same  craft.  Thus  we  see  a  busi- 
ness tie,  as  well  as  a  natural  one,  joined  these 
people  together.  Every  Jewish  boy  was 
taught  some  trade  regardless  of  the  social  and 
financial  standing  of  his  father.  One  of  their 
rabbis  said  that  he  who  failed  to  teach  his  boy 
a  trade  taught  him  to  steal.  This  would  be 
wholesome  advice  for  this  age.  Society  and 
business  would  not  then  be  infested  with  so 
many  parasites. 

On  the  Sabbaths  Paul  would  reason  in  the 
synagogue  and  persuade  Jews  and  Greeks. 
His  preaching  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Messiah- 
ship  of  Jesus  aroused  bitter  opposition,  where- 
upon he  shook  the  dust  from  his  feet  and  went 
to  the  Gentiles.  Instead  of  the  synagogue  he 
now  made  the  house  of  Justus  the  center  of  his 
teaching.  Here  his  work  was  attended  with 
great  success.  Crispus,  the  ruler  of  the  syna- 
gogue, with  many  people  of  prominence,  be- 
lieved and  was  baptized.     A  vision  from  the 

13 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

Lord,  showing  him  that  He  had  much  people 
there,  caused  Paul  to  remain  in  this  city  a  year 
and  six  months.  The  remarkable  success  at- 
tending his  ministry  in  this  city  so  incited  the 
enmity  of  these  Jews  that  they  arraigned  him 
before  the  Roman  governor.  As  soon  as  the 
governor  learned  the  nature  of  their  charge 
against  him,  they  were  dismissed  in  a  disgrace- 
ful manner.  This  gave  encouragement  to  the 
bystanders  and  they  beat  Sosthenes,  the  ruler 
of  the  synagogue.  Notwithstanding  this,  Paul 
still  remained  many  days. 

From  Corinth,  Paul,  in  company  with 
Aquila  and  Priscilla,  sailed  to  Ephesus.  After 
a  short  stay  there,  he  left  his  friends  at  Ephe- 
sus and  sailed  to  Csesarea,  from  whence  he 
went  to  Jerusalem.  Soon  after  his  departure 
from  Ephesus  Apollos  came  and  preached  in 
that  city.  He  was  eloquent  and  mighty  in 
the  Scriptures  but  needed  more  information 
concerning  the  truth,  for  he  knew  only  the 
baptism  of  John.  Perceiving  this  serious  de- 
fect, Priscilla  and  Aquila  instructed  him  in 
the  way  of  the  Lord  more  perfectly.  This 
done,  they  gave  him  letters  of  introduction  and 

14 


INTRODUCTORY;     IMPORT  AN  CE 

sent  him  to  Corinth.  Here  he  "powerfully 
confuted  the  Jews,  publicly  showing  by  the 
Scriptures  that  Jesus  was  the  Christ." 

Paul  returned  to  Ephesus  and  remained 
there  three  years.  While  there  he  heard  of  the 
state  of  the  Corinthian  church.  The  commer- 
cial interests  of  the  two  cities  brought  them 
into  close  contact.  Besides,  the  church  ad- 
dressed some  letters  of  inquiry  to  him  concern- 
ing certain  matters.  Then,  too,  the  household 
of  Chloe  had  given  him  some  information  cou? 
cerning  the  party  spirit  which  was  arising  in 
that  church.  He  seems  to  have  written  a  letter 
to  them  which  is  no  longer  in  existence  and 
likely  he  visited  them.  Most  assuredly  he  sent. 
Timothy  to  them  (4:17;  compare  Acts  19;22). 

THE  OCCASION  OF  THIS  WRITING 

This  was:  First,  the  existence  of  rival  fac- 
tions contending  against  each  other;  second, 
their  failure  to  carry  out  church  discipline; 
third,  their  going  to  law  with  each  other; 
fourth,  indifference  to  the  gross  immoralities 
of  the  Corinthians ;  fifth,  letters  from  them  re- 
questing information  as  to — (a)  marriage  and 

15 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

divorce;  (b)  food  connected  with  heathen  sac- 
rifices and  festivals;  (c)  the  exercise  of  spirit- 
ual gifts;  sixth,  disorders  in  the  pubHc  assem- 
bly, consisting  of  the  improper  behavior  and 
unseemly  dress  of  the  women  and  the  abuse  of 
the  Lord's  Supper;  seventh,  the  presence  in 
the  church  of  certain  ones  who  denied  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead. 


16 


II 

THE  TRUE  CHURCH  OF  GOD 

Our  discussion  of  the  problems  of  the  mod- 
ern church  will  be  from  the  viewpoint  of  the 
true  Church;  in  fact,  only  as  we  have  in  mind 
the  true  Church,  will  our  discussion  have  point. 
We  are  living  in  a  time  of  such  gross  misap- 
prehension of  things — so  many  things  have 
been  tacked  on  to  the  church  that  much  that  is 
called  "the  church"  is  not  really  the  Church. 
In  the  light  of  New  Testament  revelation,  by 
"the  Church"  is  meant  believers  in  Christ,  the 
body  of  called-out  people  from  among  all  na- 
tions united  to  Jesus  Christ  as  head  and  to 
each  other  as  members  of  the  organism  by  the 
Holy  Spirit.  The  Old  Testament  prophets 
told  of  the  kingdom  to  be  set  up  with  Messiah 
at  its  head  and  Israel  at  its  center.  In  the 
Gospels  we  have  the  kingdom  offered  to  Israel, 
but  they  refused  it  and  crucified  the  King.  The 
kingdom  was  then  withdrawn — placed  in 
abeyance — and  only  in  the  book  of  the  Revela- 

17 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

tion  do  we  see  its  establishment.  It  had  its 
beginning  after  Christ's  ascension  and  its 
translation  will  take  place  at  His  second  com- 
ing. Between  its  beginning  and  consumma- 
tion there  is  a  great  parenthetical  interval  in 
which  the  Church  comes  to  view.  It  is,  there- 
fore, something  different,  separate,  and  apart 
from  the  kingdom. 

In  1  Corinthians  1:1-9,  the  preface  of  the 
book,  we  have  disclosed  unto  us  the  character- 
istics of  the  true  Church.  In  verse  2  it  is 
stated  that  the  Epistle  was  addressed  to  the 
Church  of  God.  These  messages  were  directed 
to  those  who  had  been  brought  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  Jesus  Christ  and  therefore  were  mem- 
bers of  His  body,  the  Church.  The  statement, 
"with  all  that  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  every  place,"  shows  that  while 
the  application  was  intended  primarily  for  the 
church  at  Corinth,  and  was  therefore  local,  its 
underlying  principles  are  applicable  to  the  en- 
tire Church  for  all  time  to  come.  That  we  may 
know  the  extent  of  its  appHcation,  we  note  the 
following  distinguishing  features  of  the  Church 
of  God.     In  the  second  verse  of  this  chapter 

18 


THE     TRUE    CHURCH     OF    GOD 

are  set  forth  the  prevailing  characteristics  of 
the  true  Church,  giving  us  an  unfaiHng  test 
whereby  we  may  know  the  people  composing 
the  body  of  Christ. 

1.  They  were  consecrated,  "to  them  that  are 
sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus."  The  word  "sanc- 
tify" here  bears  the  primary  scriptural  mean- 
ing, namely,  to  set  apart  for  a  specific  and 
holy  use,  to  dedicate.  Thus  we  see  that  the 
Church  of  God  is  composed  of  men  and  women 
set  apart  for  a  holy  use.  They  are  called  out 
from  among  other  people  to  maintain  before 
the  world  a  life  reflecting  Christ  and  to  be  wit- 
nesses for  Him.  The  supreme  aim  of  every 
member  of  the  Church  should  be  to  attain  to 
this  end.  It  should  not  be  a  matter  of  seeing 
how  much  of  the  world's  enjoyments  he  can 
gain  and  how  many  honors  he  can  attain.  This 
consecration  is  God's  act,  no  one  can  conse- 
crate himself,  it  must  be  done  by  the  living 
God.  The  utmost  that  one  can  do  is  to  yield 
himself  up  to  God's  will.  It  is  only  as  this  is 
done  that  Christ's  purpose  for  us  can  be 
realized. 

19 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

2.  A  holy  people,  "called  to  be  saints."  One 
consecrated  to  God  must  become  holy  for  God 
is  holy.  The  members  of  the  Church  of  God 
partake  of  the  divine  nature  and  therefore 
should  exhibit  in  human  hfe  this  fundamental 
trait  of  God.  To  belong  to  the  Church  of  God 
is  not  only  to  be  dedicated  to  God's  sacred  use, 
but  positively  to  manifest  God's  holiness. 
Many  today,  as  in  the  church  of  Corinth,  seem 
to  have  forgotten  this,  for  even  the  common 
moral  requirements  are  ignored.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  true  Church  are  not  dominated  by 
the  passions  of  the  world,  but  constantly  are 
to  show  the  divine  purpose  in  their  calling  and 
sanctification.  This  is  the  all-comprehensive 
purpose  of  God  in  man's  redemption — the  ex- 
hibition of  His  own  glorious  excellence.  The 
purpose  does  not  terminate  upon  man,  but 
upon  God.  The  fact  that  we  are  called  by 
the  name  of  Christ  ought  to  impel  to  a  holy 
life.  The  one,  therefore,  who  really  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  body  of  Christ  will  put  away  all 
filthiness  of  habit  or  conduct  and  every  act  that 
does  not  positively  enhance  God's  glory.  If 
this  really  were  beHeved  today  by  people  pro- 

20 


THE     TRUE     CHURCH     OF    GOD 

fessing  godliness,  all  vile  conversation,  attend- 
ance at  places  of  questionable  propriety,  the 
using  of  questionable  methods  in  business,  and 
tobacco-using,  would  be  done  away  with. 

3.  Universality,  "all  that  in  every  place  call 
upon  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ."  The  body 
of  true  believers  is  not  confined  to  one  nation- 
ality or  race,  nor  to  one  age,  but  is  composed 
of  some  out  of  all  kindred  and  tongues  and  out 
of  all  ages.  One  of  the  new  songs  in  glory 
will  be,  "Thou  art  worthy  to  take  the  book,  and 
to  open  the  seals  thereof:  for  thou  wast  slain, 
and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood  out 
of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and 
nation"  (Rev.  5:9).  This  truth,  if  laid  hold 
upon,  will  do  away  with  much  of  the  Pharisa- 
ism and  selfishness  so  prevalent  among 
Chi'istian  people.  The  one  only  test  is  calling 
upon  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  All  persons, 
therefore,  who  really  call  upon  His  name  be- 
long to  the  Church.  However,  calling  upon 
His  name  means  to  trust  in  Him,  to  look  to 
Him  as  the  supreme  Lord.  It  is  belief  in 
Jesus  Christ  as  one  Lord,  which  brings  men 

21 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

together  as  a  Christian  Church.  Happily,  no 
ecclesiastical  organization  can  dictate  as  to  who 
shall  be  members  of  the  Church,  for  it  is  not 
a  matter  of  subscribing  to  some  church  pohty. 

4.  Unity,  "both  their  Lord  and  ours."  Since 
there  is  but  one  Lord,  all  membership  and  in- 
terests center  in,  and  consist  in  Him.  There- 
fore, there  must  be  unity.  Envy  and  rivalry 
will  disappear  when  this  is  realized.  Christ  is 
the  one  Head  and  the  members  composing  His 
body  are  not  divided.  By  the  one  Spirit  we 
were  all  baptized  into  the  one  body  (12:13). 
Since  that  body  is  a  united  body,  let  us  inquire 
as  to  what  that  unity  consists  of.  Is  it  in  the 
minutiae  of  ecclesiastical  polity?  Nay,  verily; 
for  if  that  be  true,  it  is  evident  that  there  is 
but  a  small  body  of  true  Christians  in  the 
world,  for  within  denominational  circles  there 
are  about  as  many  views  of  the  various  details 
as  there  are  members.  Our  mental  proclivities 
are  such  as  to  prevent  such  union.  Surely  we 
must  look  elsewhere  for  the  basis  of  true  unity. 
Most  assuredly  that  union  must  be  in  Jesus 
Christ   and  the  great   cardinal   doctrines   of 

23 


THE    TRUE    CHURCH    OF    GOD 

God's  Word.  When  this  is  realized,  a  long  step 
forward  will  have  been  taken.  If  we  were  to 
emphasize  the  principles  upon  which  we  are  all 
a  unity,  we  would  be  surprised  how  rapidly  the 
small  things  would  adjust  themselves  to  a 
harmonious  working  condition. 

In  verses  4-9,  Paul  expresses  his  thanksgiv- 
ing. It  was  for  the  grace  of  God  which  was 
bestowed  upon  them,  enriching  them  in  utter- 
ance and  in  knowledge  waiting  for  the  coming 
of  Jesus  Christ.  The  apostle  in  these  words 
considers  church  character  and  church  equip- 
ment. Being  enriched  in  utterance,  shows 
that  the  power  of  the  Church's  testimony  is 
from  Christ  and  centers  in  Him.  This  shows 
that  the  Church  not  only  was  equipped  intel- 
lectuallj^  but  gave  evidence  of  experimental 
knowledge  of  it.  Their  utterance,  no  matter 
how  eloquent,  would  be  of  no  consequence  un- 
less it  centered  in  Christ.  It  is  seen  today  that 
wherever  intellectuality  and  culture  have  taken 
precedence  over  the  preaching  of  the  cross  of 
Christ,  such  preaching  is  devoid  of  power. 


23 


Ill 

CHURCH  FACTIONS;  OR,  SECTARI- 
ANISM—ITS CAUSE  AND  CURE 

Chapters  1:10-4:21 

i.   the  fact  stated.   ch.  1:10-12 

The  church  at  Corinth  was  divided  into  four 
parties  contending  for  leadership — some  were 
for  Paul,  some  for  Apollos,  some  for  Cephas, 
and  some  for  Christ.  These  different  men  pos- 
sessed different  gifts  and  no  doubt  emphasized 
different  phases  of  truth.  Such  emphasis  was 
not  for  any  selfish  purpose  on  their  part,  but 
the  result  of  the  Spirit's  leading.  These  peo- 
ple failed  to  take  into  consideration  that  em- 
phasis upon  the  different  phases  of  truth  is 
essential  to  its  right  understanding,  the  one 
being  complementary  of  the  other.  The  Cor- 
inthians failed  to  take  this  into  consideration, 
as  many  people  do  today.  Neither  Paul,  Apol- 
los  nor   Peter   posed   as   rival  teachers   and 

24 


CHURCH    FACTIONS;    OR    SECTARIANISM 

leaders.  The  fault  was  with  the  people.  Then, 
too,  there  were  those  who  repudiated  all  human 
teachers  and  raised  the  cry  of  "Back  to 
Christ."  This  party,  perhaps,  became  the 
most  sectarian  of  all.  Then,  as  now,  those  who 
repudiate  all  denominational  affiliations  were 
the  most  unyielding  in  their  demands  for  party 
recognition.  With  dismay  Paul  hears  of  this 
condition.  If  he  was  so  affected  then,  how 
would  he  be  now?  The  apostle  most  deeply 
deplores  this  condition  of  affairs  and  secretly 
rebukes  them  for  their  carnality.  We  are  at 
no  great  loss  to  know  why  he  should  do  this, 
for  he  knew  full  well  that  the  devil  has  no 
surer  way  of  breaking  up  a  church  than  by 
turning  men's  eyes  away  from  Christ  to  the 
men  who  preach  Him.  Men  are  prone  to  be 
occupied  more  with  the  messenger  than  with 
the  message.  Sectarianism  is  an  evil  to  be 
deplored.  The  Church  was  intended  to  be  the 
unifier  of  the  race.  All  races,  and  all  kinds 
of  men,  were  to  be  gathered  within  her  pale,  all 
united  around  one  common  head,  saying,  "Our 
Father."  Instead  of  this  the  Church  has  alien- 
ated men  and  races.    Men  will  do  business  to- 

25 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

gether,  dine  together,  but  will  not  worship  to- 
gether. Because  of  this  factious  spirit  the 
strength  of  the  Church  is  frittered  away  in 
strife,  her  growth  is  retarded,  and  her  testi- 
mony marred.  The  world  looks  on  and  laughs. 
There  can  be  spiritual  growth  only  as  the  mem- 
bers fix  their  eyes  on  Christ  alone,  and  are 
united  in  Him. 

There  were  also  some  people  who  laid  great 
stress  upon  the  fact  that  they  had  been  baptized 
by  certain  persons.  So  great  did  this  danger 
become  that  Paul  delegated  that  work  to  oth- 
ers lest  they  should  think  of  being  baptized  in 
the  name  of  the  man,  rather  than  the  Christ 
who  instituted  the  ordinance.  Many  today 
need  to  be  reminded  that  the  virtue  of  baptism 
does  not  lie  in  the  administrator,  but  in  the 
faith  of  the  baptized  person  in  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

II.    THE  PROBLEM  CONSIDERED.     CH.   1:13-4:5 

The  same  causes  which  broke  up  the  Corin- 
thian church  are  operative  today.  The  same 
remedy  proposed  by  Paul  will  heal  the  dissen- 
sions.   In  the  consideration  of  this  problem  we 

26 


CHURCH     FACTIONS;     OR     SECTARIANISM 

set  forth  Paul's  teachings  in  formal  proposi- 
tions, as  follows: 

Proposition  1.  Factions  are  caused  by  an 
improper  comprehension  of  the  headship  of 
Christ  (1 :13-16) .  Christ  is  more  than  a  great 
teacher.  He  is  the  vital  Head  of  an  organism 
— the  Church.  The  Church  has  but  one  Head 
and  one  source  of  authority,  that  is  Christ.  To 
place  anyone  before  Christ  is  the  greatest  dis- 
loyalty. That  is  just  what  one  does  who  is 
controlled  by  the  partisan  spirit.  The  person- 
ality of  the  man  eclipses  that  of  Christ.  It  is 
not  by  Christ's  teaching  and  life  that  men  are 
drawn  to  God.  It  is  through  His  death  that 
He  came  to  have  an  unique  claim  upon  man. 
The  Church  is  founded  upon  the  cross.  Christ 
did  not  die  as  a  martyr,  but  as  Redeemer.  He, 
the  representative  of  God  and  man,  gave  His 
life  as  a  ransom.  Failure  to  grasp  this  car- 
dinal truth  causes  divisions.  It  is  when  men 
fail  to  grasp  the  person  and  work  of  Jesus 
Christ  that  party  spirit  creeps  in.  The  cure  for 
this  evil  is  the  true  conception  of  Christ's  au- 
thority and  headship.    Men  must  see  Him  as 

27 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

the  crucified  Saviour,  made  Head  and  Lord 
over  all.  Only  when  the  thoughts  of  each  one 
center  in  the  Master  can  there  be  unity,  which 
is  so  essential  to  growth  and  development.  It 
was  the  fear  lest  men  should  be  drawn  away 
from  tliis  conception  that  caused  Paul  to  re- 
frain from  baptizing.  It  is  pitiable  to  see  men 
and  groups  of  men  endeavoring  to  obtain  unity 
among  themselves  by  church  organizations, 
with  systems  of  teaching,  or  around  teachers. 
Such  efforts  fall  not  short  of  folly. 

Proposition  2.  Church  factions  are  caused 
by  a  false  conception  of  the  gospel  (1:17-25). 
The  gospel  is  the  proclamation  of  salvation  by 
faith  in  the  crucified  Christ  and  His  resurrec- 
tion from  the  dead  (See  ch.  15:1-4) .  The  ex- 
press purpose  of  the  gospel  is  to  save  men,  not 
to  afford  an  occasion  for  the  Hfting  up  of  their 
pride  (1:21).  This  gospel  was  the  heart  of 
Paul's  message.  His  supreme  aim  was  so  to 
carry  on  his  work  that  the  whole  matter  might 
stand  in  the  power  of  God,  and  not  in  the  wis- 
dom of  man.  He  especially  defended  himself 
against  having  sought  to  please  men.   Doubt- 

28 


CHURCH    FACTIONS;    OR    SECTARIANISM 

less  with  varying  circumstances  he  varied  his 
style,  but  we  are  assured  that  at  Corinth,  at 
least,  his  style  was  free  from  rhetorical  em- 
bellishment. 

Though  he  was  pre-eminently  qualified  to 
reduce  Christian  doctrine  to  a  system,  so  as  to 
appeal  to  the  judgment  of  the  Grecian  philos- 
ophers, he  chose,  like  his  Master,  to  announce 
it  as  good  tidings  of  great  joy.  He  full  well 
knew  the  nature  of  man  apart  from  divine  aid, 
and  the  effectiveness  of  the  salvation  which 
God  had  provided  in  His  Son.  His  soul  was 
so  wrought  upon  by  the  Holy  Spirit  that  he 
was  impelled  to  announce  in  the  simplest  way 
possible  the  good  news  of  salvation  to  a  lost 
world.  He  refrained  from  preaching  the 
world's  philosophies,  for  all  history  and  experi- 
ence had  shown  that  they  were  unable  to  bring 
men  to  a  knowledge  of  God  (v.  21).  He 
showed  that  the  way  God  determined  to  save 
men  is  by  preaching  Christ  as  crucified.  Paul 
preached  a  person,  not  a  mysterious  philos- 
ophy. What  the  world  needs  today  is  a  vision 
of  the  cross.    When  people  get  a  proper  vision 

29 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

of  Christ  on  the  cross  their  hearts  are  melted, 
they  repent  and  believe. 

The  cure,  then,  is  to  present  the  gospel  as 
God's  means  of  salvation,  and  not  as  a  system 
of  philosophy.  However,  it  is  the  divinest  of 
philosophies  when  apprehended  by  the  spirit- 
ual mind.  Poor,  ignorant,  and  helpless  men 
are  unable  to  understand  philosophy,  but  all 
can  understand  the  message  of  the  cross,  all 
can  understand  the  helping  hand  of  love. 
Philosophy  has  never  changed  the  life  of  the 
philosopher,  nor  the  morals  of  the  street  upon 
which  he  lived;  but  wherever  the  gospel  is  re- 
ceived there  is  transformation  of  life.  The 
preacher  himself  must  experience  it  before  he 
can  proclaim  it  effectively.  Philosophy  is  con- 
fined to  the  few,  while  the  gospel  of  Christ  is 
universal.  Not  only  is  it  adapted  to  all  na- 
tions but  to  all  classes  of  men  in  those  nations. 
To  see  the  contrast  between  philosophy  and 
the  gospel  one  needs  only  to  place  Plato's 
philosophy  over  against  the  gospel  of  John,  or 
Peter's  preaching  with  the  teaching  of  Aris- 
totle. The  contrast  is  as  great  as  light  and 
darkness.    The  contrast  is  no  less  great  in  our 

so 


CHURCH     FACTIONS;     OR    SECTARIANISM 

own  time  in  the  churches  where  the  gospel  is 
preached  and  those  where  human  philosophy 
is  taught.  To  unite  the  churches,  then,  let  there 
be  a  return  to  the  proclamation  of  God's 
evangel  and  the  repudiation  of  the  world's 
philosophies. 

Proposition  3.  Church  factions  are  caused 
by  an  improper  conception  of  the  constituent 
elements  of  which  the  Church  is  composed 
(1:26-31).  Not  many  wise  and  noble — not 
those  whose  wisdom  enables  them  to  find  out 
God  and  whose  nobility  of  character  commends 
them  to  God — there  is  no  aristocracy  with 
Him.  Before  God  no  flesh  can  glory,  for  all 
have  sinned  and  come  short  of  His  glory.  One 
of  the  prominent  causes  of  sectarianism  today 
is  the  failure  to  declare  universal  human  de- 
pravity, and  the  consequent  accentuation  of 
differences  in  the  ability  and  position  of  men. 
The  cure  in  this  case  is  to  show  that  all 
men  are  sinners,  lost  and  hopeless,  grop- 
ing in  midnight  darkness;  as  unable  to 
help  themselves  as  the  blind  man  is  to 
open    his    eyes,    and    that    man's    being    in 

31 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

Christ  is  God's  doing — "of  him  are  ye  in  Christ 
Jesus."  Christ  has  been  made  wisdom  to  those 
who  are  ignorant;  salvation  to  those  who  are 
in  sin ;  sanctification  to  those  who  are  unclean ; 
and  redemption  to  those  who  are  entangled  in 
the  bondage  of  sin.  Man  did  not  seek  God, 
but  God  sought  him.  All  that  he  is  and  all 
that  he  has  is  of  Christ. 

Proposition  4.  Church  factions  are  caused 
by  failure  to  apprehend  that  the  apostle's  min- 
istry was  not  in  words  of  human  wisdom,  hut 
in  the  power  and  energy  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
(2:1-16).  His  repudiation  of  the  world's  wis- 
dom was  misconstrued.  In  many  cases  it  is  so 
today.  The  cure  is  to  realize  that  the  gospel 
is  the  true  wisdom  which  man,  unaided,  could 
not  find  out.  The  words  of  the  rhetorician 
must  be  set  aside  for  the  message  and  words 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Since  this  wisdom  of  God 
cannot  be  grasped  even  by  the  princes  of  this 
world,  but  is  revealed  by  the  Spirit,  it  should 
be  the  aim  of  the  minister  to  create  within  men 
the  spiritual  mind,  because  the  spiritual  mind 
is  essential  to  the  understanding  of  the  spirit- 
ual message.    The  supreme  need,  then,  to  bring 

32 


CHURCH    FACTIONS;    OR    SECTARIANISM 

about  unity,  is  not  teaching,  merely,  but  re- 
generation. The  world  today  sorely  needs 
preachers  like  Paul.  The  worldward  drift  of 
the  Church  is  due  largely  to  the  absence  of 
such  preachers. 

We  may  affirm  three  things  of  Paul  as  a 
preacher.  First,  he  was  a  man  with  a  message 
from  God.  The  preacher  of  today  can  and 
must  come  with  the  same  message ;  he  must  get 
it  from  the  same  source,  namely,  the  infallible 
Word  of  God.  Second,  he  was  a  man  who  did 
not  doubt  the  authority  of  his  message.  The 
chief  weakness  of  the  modern  pulpit  message 
is  the  lack  of  positive  conviction  as  to  the  Word 
of  God.  Believing  that  his  message  was  from 
God,  he  was  impelled  to  proclaim  the  message. 
Like  Jeremiah,  the  Word  of  the  Lord  was  in 
his  heart  as  burning  fire  shut  up  in  his  bones. 
Third,  he  was  a  man  who  believed  in  the  illum- 
ination of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  enabled  the 
sinner  to  apprehend  the  love  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  The  Holy  Spirit  alone  can  take  the 
things  of  Christ  and  show  them  unto  the  peo- 
ple. The  preacher  who  properly  honors  the 
Spirit  will  not  spend  his  greatest  energies  in 

33 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

the  rhetorical  embelhshment  of  his  sermons. 
If  ever  there  was  a  time  when  the  Church 
needs  such  preachers  it  is  now. 

Proposition  5.  Church  factions  are  caused 
by  a  false  conception  of  Christian  ministry 
(3:1-4:5).  To  conceive  of  the  ministers  as 
party  leaders  or  teachers  of  philosophy  tends 
to  divisions.  Such  a  view  exhibits  the  low  stage 
of  Christianity  (3:1-4).  Divisions  in  the 
Church  occur  when  men's  eyes  are  turned  from 
the  Church  of  Christ  to  the  men  who  preach 
Him — when  they  are  occupied  with  the  mes- 
senger rather  than  with  the  message — when 
they  respect  the  authority  of  the  preacher  rath- 
er than  the  One  who  sent  him  to  preach.  The 
cure  in  such  a  case  is  to  get  a  proper  concep- 
tion and  estimate  of  human  teachers.  They 
should  see  them  as  they  really  are. 

First.  As  servants  of  God,  instruments  in 
His  hands  for  the  execution  of  His  will,  not 
leaders  of  men  (3:5,  6).  They  are  men  sent 
to  deliver  a  message,  to  perform  a  definite 
work.  They  are  not  the  authors  of  the  system 
of  truth  which  they  teach.     When  men  look 

34 


CHURCH    FACTIONS;    OR    SECTARIANISM 

away,  then,  from  the  ministers  to  God  Who 
sent  them,  they  will  not  be  imbued  with  the 
party  spirit. 

Second.  That  they  are  one,  equal  in  rank, 
called  by  the  same  Spirit,  to  teach  the  same 
truth,  and  stand  in  the  same  relationship 
(3:8,  9).  The  coming  of  an  official  hierarchy 
has  no  place  in  the  Scriptures.  When  men 
once  see  it  as  such  they  will  turn  away  from 
human  teachers  to  their  message. 

Third.  That  every  minister  must  account 
to  God  for  his  work  (3 :10-21 ) .  If  he  lay  other 
foundation  than  Christ,  he  is  not  a  Christian 
minister  at  all.  If  he  build  sound  doctrine  on 
that  foundation  he  will  get  a  reward.  If  he 
build  false  doctrine,  he  will  suffer  loss  and  be 
punished.  Sorrow  and  anguish  will  be  to  him 
who  builds  good  material  upon  a  poor  founda- 
tion and,  likewise,  to  him  who  builds  poor  ma- 
terial upon  a  good  foundation.  Human  ma- 
terial and  human  wisdom  have  no  place  in  the 
solemn  work  of  building  the  Church  of  God. 
Worldly-wise  teachers  destroy  God's  temple 
and  incur  God's  wrath  (w.  16-20). 

35 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

Fourth.  Ministers,  owned  by  the  Church, 
are  her  property,  and  not  the  Church  owned 
by  the  ministers  (3:22,  23).  We  should  not, 
therefore,  put  confidence  in  men.  We  should 
follow  them  only  as  far  as  they  follow  Christ. 

Fifth.  Ministers,  God's  stewards  (4:1-5). 
Their  business  is  to  dispense  His  truth.  They 
have  no  right  to  originate  or  create  the  mes- 
sage. God  demands  fidelity  on  their  part.  He 
will  judge  them  as  to  their  faithfulness. 

III.     CONCLUSION.     CHAPTER  4 :6-21 

First,  he  issues  a  sharp  rebuke  (vv.  7-13) ,  in 
which  the  most  cutting  irony  is  used  (w.  7,  8) 
and  in  which  their  carnality  is  shamed  by  his 
own  apostolic  example  (vv.  9-13).  Second,  his 
position  as  a  father.  He  regards  the  Corin- 
thians as  his  spiritual  children.  Looking  upon 
them  as  such,  his  parental  heart  is  grieved  over 
the  contentions  among  them.  Third,  appeal  to 
apostolic  authority  (vv.  18-21).  Having  rea- 
soned with  them  so  patiently,  pointing  out  their 
errors  and  showing  them  so  clearly  their  way 
of  shame,  then  the  way  to  come  to  a  blessed 
unity  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  Head,  he  reminds 

36 


CHURCH    FACTIONS;    OR    SECTARIANISM 

them  of  his  authority  which  God  vested  in  him 
as  an  apostle. 


37 


IV 

CHURCH  DISCIPLINE 

Chaptee  5 

i.   the  occasion 

The  church  at  Corinth  was  guilty  of  tolerat- 
ing within  her  communion  a  man  who  was 
guilty  of  incest,  an  immorahty  to  which  even 
licentious  Corinth  was  a  stranger  (v.  1).  This 
did  not  even  meet  the  disapproval  of  the 
church,  for  it  seems  that  they  were  rather 
glorying  in  it.  Perhaps  this  man  was  rich, 
educated  and  influential.  So  glad  were  they  to 
have  him  as  a  member  of  their  church  that  they 
were  willing  to  condone  his  sin.  The  Corin- 
thian church  is  not  the  only  one  which  has  been 
remiss  in  discipline  toward  the  rich,  educated 
and  influential.  Seeing  the  awful  end  of  such 
remissness  of  discipline,  Paul  authoritatively 
demands  that  immediate  and  drastic  measures 
be  adopted  to  rid  the  church  of  such  scandal. 
The  offender  was  to  be  excommunicated,  giv- 

38 


CHURCH   DISCIPLINE 


en  over  to  Satan  for  the  destruction  of  the 
flesh.  This  was  more  than  excommunication 
— ^it  was  the  infliction  of  divine  judgment. 

There  is  an  utter  lack  of  church  discipline 
today  in  all  our  churches.  This  is  one  of  the 
secrets  of  the  ineffectiveness  of  her  testimony. 
In  many  places  men  and  women  may  conduct 
their  business  affairs  and  live  such  lives  as  may 
please  them  and  yet  be  regarded  as  in  good 
standing  in  the  church,  especially  if  they  are 
wealthy  and  somewhat  clever.  Members  may 
attend  church  services  only  occasionally,  may 
not  even  take  part  in  prayer  meetings  or  even 
have  prayer  in  their  own  homes,  scarcely  give 
a  mite  of  their  possessions  to  the  Lord's  work, 
yet  when  they  move  away  from  our  congrega- 
tions we  give  them  letters  certifying  to  their 
good  standing.  There  ought  to  be  an  awak- 
ening along  this  line.  In  the  fifth  chapter  of 
this  Epistle  we  have  a  precedent  for  church 
discipline  which  dare  not  be  ignored. 

II.      AUTHORITY  FOR  CHURCH  DISCIPLINE 

In  many  quarters  there  are  those  who  ques- 
tion the  right  of  the  Church  to  discipline  her 

39 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

members.  This  is  never  done  by  those  who 
have  a  proper  conception  of  the  Word  of  God, 
and  who  are  not  longing  to  go  after  the  world. 
The  Church  has  the  inherent  right  to  pass 
judgment  upon  her  members,  to  determine 
who  shall  be  members,  and  as  to  how  they 
shall  live  as  members.  She  not  only  has  the 
inherent  right  by  virtue  of  her  organization  as 
a  body,  but  she  has  the  apostolic  precedent  and 
command  (v.  4).  This  position  is  challenged 
by  some  who  misinterpret  Matthew  13:30,  say- 
ing, "Let  the  wheat  and  the  tares  grow  togeth- 
er." They  fail  to  see  that  that  Scripture  ap- 
plies to  the  age  in  which  we  live,  and  not  to 
the  members  of  this  called-out  body  called  the 
Church.  This  authority  to  disciphne  resides 
in  the  congregation — does  not  inhere  in  the 
officials,  but  in  the  congregation  as  a  whole. 
If  the  congregation  has  not  this  authority, 
Paul  was  in  error  when  he  held  that  congrega- 
tion responsible  for  its  administration.  To 
question  this  is  to  question  Paul's  inspiration. 
He  emphatically  affirms  (14:37)  that  he  was 
speaking  from  God,  speaking  by  the  Spirit, 
and  he  hel(J  them  responsible  for  the  adminis- 

40 


CHURCH   DISCIPLINE 


tration  of  discipline,  and  most  severely  cen- 
sured them  for  its  neglect. 

III.     THE  NECESSITY  FOR  CHURCH  DISCIPLINE 

To  save  the  individual.  "In  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  ye  are  gathered 
together,  and  my  spirit,  with  the  power  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  deliver  such  an  one  to 
Satan  for  the  destruction  of  the  flesh,  that  the 
spirit  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord 
Jesus"  (w.  4,  5).  This  discipline  was  for  the 
destruction  of  the  flesh  but  for  the  salvation  of 
the  spirit.  The  flesh  means  the  evil  passions. 
He  does  not  say  for  the  destruction  of  the  body, 
for  in  chapter  15  he  tells  us  of  the  glorious  res- 
urrection of  the  body.  In  all  church  discipline 
primary  consideration  should  be  given  to  the 
good  of  the  individual.  This  dare  not  be  neg- 
lected. 

2.  To  keep  the  Church  pure  (v.  6).  For 
the  Church  to  fail  to  pass  judgment  upon  her 
members  who  sin,  is  to  countenance  sin.  To 
disregard  sin  in  one  means  to  disregard  it  in 
all.  Sin  is  a  dreadful  contagion.  "Know  ye 
not  that  a  little  leaven  leaveneth  the  whole 

41 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

lump?"  Just  as  one  rotten  apple  in  a  barrel 
of  good  apples  may  cause  them  all  to  rot,  so 
one  sinner  in  the  Church,  undisciplined,  may 
affect  the  whole  body.  As  a  cancer  unre- 
moved  may  cause  death  to  the  whole  body,  so 
to  preserve  her  own  life,  the  Church  must  cut 
off  her  sinning  members.  The  Lord  cannot, 
and  will  not,  bless  that  church  which  tolerates 
sin.  Achan's  sin  and  its  disastrous  conse- 
quences are  a  warning  to  all  ages.  The  posi- 
tion of  the  Church  is  analogous  to  that  of  the 
Israelites  who  were  forbidden  under  penalty 
of  death  to  eat  leaven  during  the  seven  days 
that  followed  the  death  of  the  paschal  lamb. 
Christ  is  to  us  what  the  lamb  was  to  Israel. 
As  no  leaven  was  allowed  in  the  house  of  Is- 
rael, so  the  Church  should  remove  the  sinning 
member.  The  death  of  the  paschal  lamb  put 
the  obligation  upon  the  Israelites  to  put  away 
the  old  bread  and  bring  the  new;  so  the  death 
of  Christ  obliges  us  to  put  away  sin  and  live 
the  new  life.  Sin,  like  leaven,  communicates 
its  nature  to  all  it  touches.  As  every  nook 
and  corner  were  to  be  searched  lest  leaven  be 
found,  so  we  should  not  only  search  our  own 

42 


CHURCH   DISCIPLINE 


hearts,  but  the  Church  as  a  body,  lest  sin  be 
found  (vv.  7,  8).  It  is  this  disregard  of  sin 
and  sinners  that  has  brought  the  barrenness 
upon  the  efforts  of  the  Church  today.  If  we 
are  to  have  a  return  of  the  spirit  of  revival, 
there  must  be  the  judgment  for  sin,  and  sep- 
aration from  it. 

IV.      THE     GROUNDS     UPON     WHICH      CHURCH 
DISCIPLINE  IS  TO  BE  ADMINISTERED.     W.  9-11 

1.  Licentiousness  (v.  9).  This  should  be 
attended  to  strictly  for  we  are  in  a  very  im- 
moral age.  Licentiousness  is  gnawing  at  the 
vitals  of  the  home,  society,  the  Church,  and 
the  nation.  Divorce  is  fearfully  prevalent. 
The  records  of  the  Census  Bureau  show  that 
in  the  United  States,  during  the  last  twenty 
years,  prior  to  1908,  there  have  been  granted 
on  the  average,  all  told,  twenty  divorces  each 
hour,  and  the  average  is  increasing  rapidly. 
In  Peoria  County,  Illinois,  in  1908,  there  was 
more  than  one  divorce  for  every  five  marriages. 
In  Chicago,  in  1913,  according  to  a  newspaper 
report,  there  was  one  divorce  for  every  seven 
marriages. 

43 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

2.  Covetousness  (v.  10).  This,  too,  is  a 
sin  of  widespread  influence.  All  about  us  men 
and  women  are  grasping  after  money.  Even 
in  the  Church  many  are  more  interested  in 
the  accumulation  of  money  than  in  the  build- 
ing up  of  the  cause  of  Christ. 

3.  Extortion  (v.  10).  This  has  reference 
to  the  forceful  taking  of  goods  from  another. 
It  may  be  the  taking  of  excessive  interest  just 
because  one  is  in  the  position  to  demand  it. 
It  may  be  in  the  manipulation  of  business  af- 
fairs so  as  to  bring  about  forced  sales. 

4.  Idolatry,  This  has  primary  reference 
to  the  worship  of  false  gods  by  the  heathen, 
but  has  an  application  to  conditions  as  they 
exist  in  many  places  today.  Every  man  has 
his  god.  If  it  is  not  the  true  God,  it  is  a  false 
one.  That  which  is  uppermost  in  the  minds 
and  affections  is  a  god  to  us.  Our  activities 
constitute  our  worship.  Various  are  the  gods 
which  Americans  worship  today, — gold,  pleas- 
ure, power,  lust,  beauty,  dress,  fame. 

5.  Raillery  (v.  11).  This  applies  to  slan- 
der and  abusive  speech.    Every  church  mem- 

44 


CHURCH   DISCIPLINE 


ber  guilty  of  such  conduct  should  fall  immedi- 
ately into  the  judgment  of  the  church.  If  he 
will  not  repent,  he  should  be  expelled  from 
the  church. 

6.  Drunkenness  (v.  11).  Everyone  who 
becomes  intoxicated  is  a  subject  for  discipHne. 
However,  this  requires  patient  dealing,  for 
many  have  inherited  weaknesses  along  this  line 
which  require  great  effort  to  overcome. 

V.     THE   DIFFICULTIES   OF   CHURCH   DISCIPLINE 

The  first  difficulty  arises  from  the  conscious- 
ness of  personal  guilt  on  the  part  of  the  indi- 
vidual church  member.  Even  those  who  are 
leaders  in  the  church  frequently  feel  this, 
causing  them  to  shrink  from  bringing  others 
into  judgment  when  they  themselves  are  guil- 
ty. Then,  too,  some  may  use  such  circum- 
stances as  an  occasion  to  "get  even." 

The  second  difficulty  is  human  limitation. 
The  imperfection  of  human  knowledge  ren- 
ders it  extremely  difficult  to  properly  disci- 
pline members.  Sometimes  that  which  seems 
to  be  sin  on  the  part  of  one  does  not  seem  so 

45 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

on  the  part  of  others,  and  actually,  may  not 
be.  While  this  is  difficult,  it  is  not  impossible, 
for  the  Lord  said,  "If  any  of  you  lack  wis- 
dom, let  him  ask  of  God."  If  selfish  interests 
are  left  out  and  the  mind  of  God  is  sought 
honestly,  there  will  seldom  be  a  mistake. 

VI.     THE  SALUTARY  EFFECTS  OF  CHURCH 
DISCIPLINE 

1.  Upon  the  person  disciplined.  It  seems 
from  the  Second  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians 
that  the  man  disciplined  in  this  case,  repented 
and  was  restored.  While  great  care  should 
be  exercised  lest  one  of  these  little  ones  who 
believe  in  Jesus  should  be  made  to  stumble,  it 
should  be  remembered  that  if  one  is  really  a 
child  of  God  the  discipline  will  have  the  effect 
of  working  repentance  and  reconciliation.  It 
was  said  of  a  certain  pastor,  when  of  necessity 
he  administered  discipline  to  a  member  of  his 
flock,  he  earnestly  remarked  to  the  offender 
that  his  sin  was  of  such  a  nature  as  to  necessi- 
tate his  being  disfellowshipped,  but  that  the 
church  door  stood  open  for  his  return  when- 
ever he  repented  and  confessed  his  wrongdo- 

46 


CHURCH   DISCIPLINE 


ing.  However,  if  he  were  really  a  sheep  he 
would  come  back  bleating  to  get  into  the  fold, 
and  would  not,  as  a  pig,  endeavor  to  root  out 
the  foundation  of  the  Church.  The  reason 
why  some  parties  try  to  destroy  the  influence 
of  the  Church  itself,  when  they  have  fallen  in- 
to her  judgment,  is  because  they  never  were 
Christians. 

2.  Upon  the  Church  herself.  The  best 
working  churches  are  those  where  discipline  is 
exercised.  It  is  said  of  a  certain  church,  where 
members  were  disciplined  even  for  gossiping, 
that  scarcely  a  week  passed  by  without  conver- 
sions. What  a  happy  effect  it  would  have  upon 
us  if  for  gossiping,  prying  into  other's  business, 
dishonesty,  lying,  and  all  acts  of  immorality 
and  evil  conversation,  members  were  brought 
into  judgment!  While  we  would  insist  upon 
rigid  church  discipline,  it  should  be  carried  out 
in  the  spirit  of  the  love  of  Christ;  and  great 
care  should  be  exercised,  lest  the  limits  of  the 
inspired  Word  of  God  be  transcended.  We 
should  distinguish  most  carefully  between  hu- 
man and  divine  standards. 


47 


V 

LITIGATION  AMONG  CHURCH 
MEMBERS 

Chapter   6:1-11 

The  Corinthians  were  guilty  of  carrying 
their  differences  into  the  civil  courts  for  ad- 
judication. Perhaps  the  case  at  hand  was  the 
carrying  into  the  heathen  court  the  matter 
mentioned  in  the  previous  chapter,  namely,  the 
man  having  his  father's  wife.  The  apostle, 
horrified  at  such  practices,  exclaims,  "Dare 
any  of  you  having  a  matter  against  another, 
go  to  law  before  the  unjust?"  The  restrain- 
mg  influence  of  the  apostle's  teaching  needs  to 
be  much  emphasized  today,  for  it  seems  there 
is  a  greater  tendency  to  disregard  this  instruc- 
tion than  in  former  days.  The  world  would 
be  ignorant  of  many  a  scandal  which  the  devil 
has  used  to  the  detriment  of  the  cause  of 
Christ,  if  Christians  had  heeded  the  teaching 
of  the  apostle  on  this  important  subject.    Dis- 

48 


LITIGATION    AMONG     CHURCH    MEMBERS 

putes  are  to  be  expected.  The  occasions  for 
them  are  manifold.  We  are  constituted  so 
differently  that  we  are  liable  to  see  things  from 
different  angles.  Besides,  with  the  growing 
complexity  of  social  and  business  life,  interests 
will  be  brought  into  conflict  more  and  more. 

I.     THE  SCANDAL  OF  IT.     V.   1 

The  very  fact  that  they  went  to  law  indi- 
cated that  there  was  a  bad  spirit  and  a  worse 
practice  among  them,  for  "the  law  was  not 
made  for  a  righteous  man,  but  for  the  lawless 
and  disobedient,  for  the  ungodly  and  sinners, 
for  unholy  and  profane,  for  murderers  of 
fathers  and  murderers  of  mothers,  for  man- 
slayers,  for  whoremongers,  for  them  that  de- 
file themselves  with  mankind,  for  menstealers, 
for  liars,  for  perjured  persons"  (1  Timothy 
1:9,  10).  Going  to  law  was  bad  enough,  but 
when  it  came  to  going  to  law  brother  with 
brother,  the  offense  was  most  aggravated.  It 
is  not  only  a  disgraceful  thing  from  without, 
but  it  mars  brotherly  feeling.  There  are  few 
things  which  so  alienate  fraternal  affections  as 
contentions  at  law.     Many,  even  brothers  in 

49 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

the  flesh,  as  well  as  members  of  the  same 
Church,  have  elbowed  each  other  for  years, 
without  speaking,  simply  because  of  some  Hti- 
gation  before  a  court.  Further,  this  going  to 
law  was  before  the  unbelievers,  which  would 
leave  a  bad  impression  upon  the  world.  For 
those  who  professed  to  be  followers  of  the 
Prince  of  peace,  to  be  quarreling,  caused  the 
world  to  consider  their  professions  to  be  a 
sham.  The  scandal  of  such  a  proceeding  is 
seen  from  the  following  considerations. 

1.  It  is  treason  against  Christian  brother- 
hood.  It  shows  at  once  that  our  profession  is 
a  farce.  If  Christ  be  our  Head  and  we  mem- 
bers of  His  body,  there  can  be  no  quarreling 
and  contentions  among  us.  Harmony  be- 
longs to  the  one  body.  Litigation  before  the 
courts  on  the  part  of  Christians  contradicts 
brotherly  love  and  puts  the  lie  to  our  profes- 
sion. 

2.  It  insults  the  dignity  of  the  Church, 
The  Church  contains  elements  and  forces  with- 
in herself  equal  to  any  emergency  which  may 
arise.    To  go  before  the  courts  with  our  trou- 

50 


LITIGATION    AMONG    CHURCH    MEMBERS 

bles  is  to  exhibit  the  impotency  of  the  Church 
in  her  inabihty  to  meet  the  exigencies  within 
her  hfe  and  activities. 

3.  It  reproaches  Jesus  Christ.  He  is  the 
Head  of  the  body.  For  the  members  of  that 
body  of  which  Christ  is  Head  to  take  their  dif- 
ferences before  the  world,  is  to  show  that  the 
Head  is  not  capable  of  managing  the  interests 
of  the  bod}^  Jealousy  for  the  honor  of  the 
name  of  Christ  will  deter  us  from  going  to 
law. 

4.  It  dishonors  God.  Our  being  joined  to 
Jesus  Christ  is  through  the  plan  and  will  of 
God  (1:30).  Therefore,  the  failure  to  bring 
about  harmony  reproaches  the  one  who  de- 
signed it.  Any  failure  of  an  organism  to  ac- 
comphsh  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  designed 
reflects  discredit  upon  the  designer. 

5.  It  outrages  the  dignity  of  the  gospel. 
The  gospel  purports  to  be  the  healer  of  dis- 
sensions. The  very  song  which  the  angels 
sang  upon  the  advent  of  the  Lord  was,  "On 
earth  peace,  good  will  toward  men."     While 

51 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

there  are  peace  and  good  will  there  cannot  be 
contentions  at  law. 

II.     THE  ABSURDITY  OF  IT.     V.  2,  3 

1.  It  is  unprofitable.  More  is  lost  in  going 
to  law  than  is  ever  gained.  In  the  face  of  such 
fact,  litigation  among  men  is  most  absurd. 

2.  It  mars  brotherly  feeling.  The  private 
adjustment  of  matters  would  avoid  many 
wounds  which  are  scarcely  ever  healed.  It  is 
easier  to  prevent  a  breach  of  the  affections 
than  to  heal  it  when  once  made.  It  is  a  good 
thing  to  have  enough  grace  to  live  together  in 
peace  after  there  have  been  contentions,  but 
it  is  infinitely  better  to  have  sufficient  grace 
to  prevent  them. 

3.  It  is  incongruous  to  the  Christian  calling 
and  destiny.  The  Christian  has  been  called 
out  of  the  world  to  be  a  light  to  it.  Those, 
then,  who  have  been  called  out  of  the  world 
to  be  saviors  to  it  should  not  thus  give  the  lie 
to  their  mission.  The  saints  shall  judge  the 
world,  "If  the  world  shall  be  judged  by  you, 
are  ye  unworthy  to  judge  the  smallest  mat- 

52 


LITIGATION    AMONG    CHURCH    MEMBERS 

ters?"  It  is  the  height  of  absurdity  for  those 
who  are  destined  to  be  the  world's  judges  to 
carry  their  trivial  matters  to  the  people  of  the 
world  for  adjustment. 

Then,  too,  it  is  said  that  the  saints  shall 
judge  angels.  If  we  are,  then,  to  be  judges 
of  those  who  have  been  created  our  superiors, 
it  is  inexpressibly  absurd  for  us  to  go  to  the 
courts  of  this  world  for  the  adjustment  of  our 
difficulties.  Let  those  who  are  disposed  to  go 
to  law  hastily,  ponder  well  these  things. 

III.     THE  REMEDY  FOR  IT.     W.  5-7 

1.  Arbitration  (v.  5).  Matters  upon 
which  Christians  cannot  agree  should  be  sub- 
mitted to  capable  judges.  Even  the  most  in- 
significant of  the  children  of  God  would  come 
nearer  to  doing  justice  than  a  heathen  judge, 
for  the  one  who  is  a  member  of  the  body  would 
be  sympathetically  interested  in  his  fellow 
members. 

2.  Suffer  loss.  What  cannot  be  adjusted 
by  arbitration,  lose  rather  than  disgrace  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  It  were  bet- 
ter to  suffer  wrong. 

53 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 
IV.     THE  PENALTY  OF  IT.     W.   8-10 

Verse  8  implies  that  defrauding  by  litiga- 
tion had  been  going  on.  Such  unrighteous- 
ness shuts  out  from  the  kingdom  of  God.  The 
apostle  says,  "Know  ye  not  that  the  unright- 
eous shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God? 
Be  not  deceived:  neither  fornicators,  nor  idol- 
aters, nor  adulterers,  «or  effeminate,  nor  abus- 
ers of  themselves  with  mankind,  nor  thieves, 
nor  covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers,  nor 
extortioners  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God." 
He  means  to  say  that  just  as  these  gross  sins 
— fornication,  adultery,  etc. — exclude  from 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven,  so  separation  from 
God  is  the  inevitable  doom  of  those  who  prac- 
tice litigation.  Furthermore,  it  reveals  the 
fact  that  the  individuals  so  engaged  have  not 
been  born  from  above  and  are,  therefore,  in 
their  sins.  May  this  awful  penalty  be  a  sol- 
emn warning  to  all! 


54 


VI 

THE   CHRISTIAN'S   ESTIMATE   OF 
HIS  BODY 

Chapter    6:12-20 

Licentiousness  was  a  common  sin  at  Corinth. 
Among  its  inhabitants  it  was  not  reckoned  as 
sin,  for  it  constituted  a  part  of  the  worship 
of  Aphrodite.  Christianity  is  diametrically 
opposed  to  such  abominable  practices.  The 
Corinthians  tried  to  defend  this  practice  on 
the  ground  that  since  God  had  made  the  sexual 
distinctions,  it  was  right  to  indulge  them. 
They  placed  this  question  on  the  same  basis 
as  food  (v.  13) .  They  argued  that  God  made 
the  digestive  organs  and  also  food.  If  to  eat 
food  is  not  wrong,  then  it  is  not  wrong  for 
the  sexes  to  cohabit.  This  awful  error  Paul 
seeks  to  correct.  He  leads  up  to  the  matter 
by  laying  down  some  general  principles. 
Twice  he  declares  "all  things  are  lawful."  By 
this  he  meant  that  all  acts  in  harmony  with 
God's  primal  purpose  were  in  themselves  law- 

55 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

ful.  Sexual  distinctions  were  made  for  a  high 
and  holy  purpose — the  procreation  of  the  race. 
Any  indulgence,  save  in  harmony  with  God's 
purpose,  is  criminal. 

Under  certain  circumstances  "lawful 
things,"  even,  may  not  be  right  for  the  Chris- 
tian. First,  lawful  things  may  not  be  expedi- 
ent; and,  second,  lawful  things  must  not  gain 
the  mastery.  In  this  section  of  Scripture,  the 
apostle  deals  mainly  with  the  sin  of  fornica- 
tion, only  making  a  passing  mention  of  meats. 
It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  indulgence  in 
unlawful  things  has  slain  its  thousands,  but 
wrong  indulgence  in  lawful  things  has  slain  its 
tens  of  thousands.  It  is  perfectly  right  to  eat, 
to  dress,  to  have  certain  occupations,  to  enjoy 
certain  amusements  and  recreations,  but  when 
they  become  our  masters  they  become  sinful 
to  us.  Paul's  argument  in  correcting  this  evil 
gathers  around  the  true  estimate  of  the  human 
body.  In  this  day  when  everything  is  so  com- 
pletely under  the  sway  of  passion,  when  life 
itself  is  only  estimated  by  the  amount  of  pleas- 
ure or  gain  it  will  bring,  it  becomes  us  to  take 
a  sober  look  at  what  God  says  about  the  body. 

56 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  ESTIMATE  OF  HIS  BODY 

Human  life  is  very  cheap  in  men's  eyes  in 
this  age.  The  body  is  abused  by  overwork,  by 
overeating,  by  overindulgence  in  pleasures  and 
recreations.  In  the  Scripture  the  Holy  Spirit 
clearly  sets  forth  some  facts  touching  the  hu- 
man body  which,  if  fully  apprehended,  will 
cause  all  Christians  to  have  a  proper  regard 
for  their  bodies. 

I.     THE   BODY  BELONGS  TO   THE  LORD 
W.    13  AND    19 

The  Christian's  body,  as  well  as  his  soul,  is 
the  property  of  the  Lord.  Therefore,  he  is 
not  at  liberty  to  use  it  for  any  purpose  save  to 
glorify  the  Lord.  Some  professing  Christians 
have  no  higher  conception  of  the  body  than 
that  it  is  merely  an  old  garment  to  be  used 
until  worn  out  and  then  to  be  cast  aside.  Such 
a  view  is  utterly  unscriptural.  The  Scriptures 
declare  that  the  body  is  for  the  Lord.  It  is  an 
illegal  thing  to  use  the  property  of  another 
against  his  consent  and  for  purposes  which  are 
dishonoring  to  him.  The  Christian's  motto  is, 
"Whether,  therefore,  ye  eat  or  drink,  or  what- 
soever ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God."    It 

57 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

was  through  the  body  of  the  Lord  that  the 
great  facts  of  our  redemption  were  accom- 
plished. His  body  was  the  instrument  of  the 
incarnation  and  manifestation  of  God  among 
men,  of  the  death  and  resurrection  by  which 
we  are  saved.  His  purpose  in  our  redemption 
was  in  part,  at  least,  that  our  bodies  should  be 
the  instruments  for  the  accomplishment  of  His 
will.  This  truth  realized,  as  well  as  the  above 
motto  accepted,  will  sanctify  the  common  re- 
lations of  life.  It  will  cause  us  to  be  just  as 
sincere  in  our  business,  pleasures,  and  mutual 
relationships  in  life  as  when  sitting  at  the 
Lord's  table.  "Holiness  unto  the  Lord"  ought 
to  be  inscribed  on  our  banners,  and  reverently 
we  ought  to  approach  the  so-called  common 
things  of  life. 

II.     THE  BODY  SHALL  BE  RESURRECTED.     W.   14 

Physical  death  is  the  suspension  of  the  per- 
sonal union  between  the  soul  and  the  body,  but 
this  separation  is  only  temporary.  In  God's 
own  time  He  will  rebuild  the  house  which  has 
been  taken  down  in  death,  on  a  more  glorious 
plan.    That  plan  will  be  realized  in  the  resur- 

58 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  ESTIMATE  OF  HIS  BODY 

rection.  The  body  rebuilt,  or  resurrected,  be- 
comes the  eternal  dwelling  place  of  the  spirit. 
That  which  God  so  honors  as  not  to  allow  it 
to  remain  forever  in  humiliation  should  receive 
most  careful  attention  from  us.  Christ  has  re- 
deemed both  parts  of  our  nature ;  the  body  has 
its  share  in  the  great  salvation.  Heathen  phil- 
osophers despised  the  body,  esteemed  it  as  an 
old  garment  to  be  cast  aside.  So  do  some  mod- 
ern heathen  philosophers.  Christ's  coming  in 
the  flesh  has  swept  away  such  notions  forever. 
This  truth  touching  the  resurrection  and  glor- 
ification of  the  body  when  fully  apprehended 
has  a  transforming  power  over  the  life. 

III.     THE  christian's  BODY  IS  A  MEMBER 
or  CHRIST.     V.  15 

The  Church  is  an  organism  having  many 
members  each  performing  separate  functions 
and  all  vitally  related  to  each  other,  being  unit- 
ed to  Jesus  Christ  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  Since 
the  believer  is  a  member  of  Christ,  he  must 
touch  and  use  his  body  with  the  same  reverence 
as  he  would  that  of  Christ.  Who  would  not 
reverently  approach  the  body  of  the  Sinless 

59 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

One?  In  view  of  this  fact  who  dares  practice 
the  sins  of  uncleanhness  or  in  any  way  abuse 
his  body?  What  awful  sin  to  take  a  member 
of  Christ  and  join  it  unto  a  harlot!  This  sol- 
emn truth  needs  to  be  set  forth  clearly  for  the 
.salvation  of  many  who  have  never  been  taught. 

IV.     THE  christian's  BODY  IS  THE  TEMPLE  OF 
THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.     V.   19 

Marvelous  dignity  is  placed  upon  the  body. 
God's  dwelling  place  on  earth  is  now  the  re- 
deemed body  instead  of  the  temple  at  Jerusa- 
lem. The  body  was  bought  by  Christ's  death 
on  Calvary  for  the  purpose  of  making  it  a 
temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  body  of  every 
believer  is  for  that  purpose.  If  the  sinless 
Spirit  is  to  dwell  in  the  body  it  must  be  kept 
clean.  He,  the  Holy  Spirit,  will  not  abide  in 
a  filthy  house.  To  defile  the  body  is  to  insult 
the  Holy  Spirit.  The  defiling  of  the  body  by 
fornication  is  the  most  awful  sacrilege.  Such 
pollution  not  only  deprives  us  of  the  sweet 
companionship  of  the  Spirit  but  exposes  us  to 
God's  wrath.  "If  any  man  defile  the  temple 
of  God,  him  shall  God  destroy ;  for  the  temple 

60 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  ESTIMATE  OF  HIS  BODY 

of  God  is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are"  (v.  3 :17) . 
This  truth  apprehended,  solves  forever  the 
problem  of  licentiousness,  the  use  of  tobacco, 
gluttony,  or  abuse  in  any  way  whatsoever.  In 
view  of  this  the  apostle  exclaims,  "Flee  forni- 
cation; every  sin  that  a  man  doeth  is  without 
the  body,  but  he  that  committeth  fornication 
sinneth  against  his  own  body." 

V.     THE  christian's  BODY  IS  REDEEMED.     V.  20 

The  redemption  of  the  body  cost  much.  It 
was  bought  at  the  infinite  price  of  the  blood 
of  the  Son  of  God.  It  is  His  property;  the 
redeemed  body  is  no  longer  our  own.  We  are 
bound  to  care  for  it  as  the  property  of  another. 
Guarding  our  health  is  a  part  of  our  religion. 
We  estimate  things  by  what  they  cost.  When 
we  place  that  estimate  on  our  bodies  we  will 
be  very  jealous  of  their  purity.  "Forasmuch 
as  ye  know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed  with 
corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from 
your  vain  conversation  received  by  tradition 
from  your  fathers ;  but  with  the  precious  blood 
of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and 
without  spot"  (1  Peter  1:18,  19). 

61 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

VI.    THE  christian's  BODY  IS  INTENDED  FOR 
THE  GLORY  OF  GOD.     V.  20 

"Therefore,  glorify  God  in  your  body." 
The  Revised  Version  omits  "and  in  your  spir- 
it." This  places  the  emphasis  where  the  whole 
argument  rests,  namely,  upon  the  body.  There 
is  a  sense  in  which  we  may  speak  of  a  loss  to 
God  if  we  prostitute  our  bodies.  The  avowed 
purpose  of  God  in  creation  and  redemption  is 
His  glory.  To  be  careless  in  the  use  of  our 
bodies,  or  to  prostitute  them,  will  rob  Him  of 
His  glory.  In  this  section  of  Scripture  we 
see  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  as  to  the  human 
body  and  it  should  arouse  us  to  the  true  sense 
of  our  duty  to  it. 


63 


VII 

MARRIAGE;  ADVICE  TO  THE  MAR- 
RIED, AND  TO  THE  UNMARRIED. 

Chapter  7 

The  oldest  and  most  important  institution 
in  the  world  is  the  family.  It  is  the  fomida- 
tion  stone  upon  which  all  other  institutions  are 
built.  The  importance  of  the  family  to  the 
Church,  society,  and  the  nation  cannot  be  over- 
estimated. In  the  measure  that  the  home  is 
kept  pure  and  strong  will  the  Church,  society 
and  the  nation  be  pure  and  strong.  Corrupt 
the  home  and  they  are  all  corrupted  together. 
Corruption  at  this  fountain  head  is  suicidal. 
Once  you  tear  out  the  foundation  of  the  build- 
ing, the  whole  structure  comes  tumbling  down. 

The  foundation  upon  which  the  home  is 
built  is  marriage.  There  is  no  more  impor- 
tant theme  in  the  whole  realm  of  Christian 
ethics  than  marriage.  Perhaps  no  subject  is 
more  neglected  by  ministers  and  teachers  than 
this.    As  a  result  few  young  people  entering 

63 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

its  sacred  relationships  understand  its  signifi- 
cance. In  fact,  marriage  has  become  a  frivo- 
lous affair — a  mere  joke.  The  magazines  and 
newspapers  which  come  into  our  homes  are 
filled  with  articles  which  lower  the  dignity  of 
the  marriage  relation.  This  has  become  a  se- 
rious menace  to  the  morals  of  our  land.  Then 
public  lecturers  have  become  vitiated  with  this 
same  virus.  It  has  come  to  this  awful  state, 
where  scarcely  a  lecturer  comes  before  our 
boys  and  girls  in  the  high  school,  at  the  most 
impressionable  age,  without  in  some  way  mak- 
ing marriage  a  subject  of  jesting.  It  is  scarce- 
ly better  in  our  colleges.  But  that  which  out- 
distances all  is  the  criminal  practice  of  fathers 
and  mothers  who  begin  to  tease  their  children 
about  being  in  love  with  the  boys  and  girls  in 
their  tender  years,  before  any  such  thoughts 
enter  their  pure  minds.  In  this  way  their 
minds  are  corrupted  from  the  beginning.  Need 
we  wonder  that  the  divorce  evil  is  increasing 
at  such  a  fearful  rate,  blighting  the  morals  of 
our  land,  when  the  children  are  under  such 
pernicious  influence  from  their  tenderest  years 
to  maturity?    It  is  bad  enough  that  our  mag- 

64 


MARRIAGE 


azine  writers  and  lecturers  have  fallen  to  such 
an  infinite  depth,  but  that  fathers  and  mothers 
have  fallen  into  this  pernicious  practice  is  be- 
yond temperate  speech  to  utter.  The  least  that 
can  be  said  is,  God  pity  the  child  who  has  been 
so  unfortunate  as  to  have  such  a  father  and 
mother.  The  following  are  offered  as  the 
principal  teachings  of  this  chapter  on  mar- 
riage. 

I.      INSTRUCTIONS,    CHIEFLY    TO    THE    MARRIED 

vv.  1-24 

1.  God  intended  that  men  and  women 
should  marry  (v.  4;  compare  Genesis  1:27). 
This  intention  is  shown  from  the  fundamental 
fact  of  sex.  God  did  not  make  the  sexes  out 
of  idle  experimentation.  He  fully  knew  His 
intentions  before  the  act  of  creation.  We 
grant,  however,  that  some  specimens  of  men 
and  women  almost  seem  to  have  been  created 
without  a  purpose.  One  cannot  help  wonder- 
ing what  some  men  and  women  were  made 
for.  The  one  is  incomplete  without  the  other. 
It  was  of  man,  in  the  generic  sense,  that  God 
said  he  was  created  in  His  own  likeness  and 

65 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

image.  Therefore,  that  hkeness  and  image 
can  be  reahzed  truly  only  as  the  male  and  fe- 
male are  miited.  Woman  is  man's  comple- 
ment. When  this  is  realized  by  her  she  will 
not  be  his  competitor,  but  his  helper. 

2.  God's  purpose  is  monogamy  (v.  2). 
God's  thought  for  the  race  is  one  woman  for 
one  man  and  one  man  for  one  woman.  Any 
other  view  is  both  unscriptural  and  unnatural, 
for  unless  the  affections  are  perverted  they 
cannot  be  divided.  The  conjugal  love  of  the 
man  focalizes  in  the  woman  and  that  of  the 
woman  focalizes  in  the  man.  The  law  set  forth 
by  Christ  when  He  said  no  man  can  serve  two 
masters,  obtains  in  the  marriage  relation.  No 
man  can  really  love  two  women;  neither  can 
any  woman  really  love  two  men.  Any  longing 
outside  of  the  lawful  companion  is  not  love, 
but  lust.  Besides,  when  there  is  a  real  union 
in  the  case  of  both  husband  and  wife,  never  an- 
other thought  is  entertained  as  to  another  ob- 
ject upon  which  to  lavish  the  affections,  but 
all  love  and  devotion  centers  in  the  object  al- 
ready possessed. 

66 


MARRIAGE 


3.  The  mutual  relationship  of  husband  and 
wife  (v.  3,  4s).  Where  there  is  a  real  union  in 
the  marriage  relation,  there  is  a  surrender  of 
personality  on  the  part  of  both  husband  and 
wife.  There  is,  likewise,  a  union  of  personal 
traits.  Therefore,  there  is  in  the  ideal  mar- 
riage a  surrender  of  the  baser  qualities  and  a 
uniting  of  the  virtues  of  both  parties,  result- 
ing in  a  oneness  of  personality  which  is  better 
and  nobler  than  either  one  was  alone  or,  in- 
deed, ever  could  be.  The  apostle  Peter  gives 
us  a  very  graphic  representation  of  the  ideal 
husband  and  wife  (1  Peter  3:1-7).  Since  the 
instructions  as  to  obedience  to  husbands  are 
usually  given  to  wives  by  ministers  today  with- 
out consideration  of  what  kind  of  husbands,  I 
shall  reverse  the  order  of  the  teaching  of  the 
apostle  and  set  forth: 

(1)  The  Ideal  Husband  (1  Peter  3:7). 
He  will  show  the  following  traits: 

(a)  Reasonableness.  "Husbands,  dwell 
with  them  according  to  knowledge."  Much 
of  the  joy  of  married  life  is  marred  by  the 

67 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

unreasonableness  of  husbands.  Reason,  not 
passion,  should  govern  the  treatment  of  a  wife. 
A  woman  cannot  respect  a  man  who  is  unrea- 
sonable in  his  demands.  In  many  cases  this 
is  the  secret  of  domestic  troubles. 

(b)  Reverence.  "Giving  honor  to  the 
wife  as  unto  the  weaker  vessel."  An  intelli- 
gent perception  of  the  mission  of  woman  causes 
one  to  pay  homage  to  her.  Naturally  the  pres- 
ence of  virtuous  women  subdues  the  coarseness 
of  men.  A  husband  who  realizes  the  complex- 
ity of  the  being  of  his  wife,  and  the  dignity  of 
the  sphere  God  created  her  to  fill,  invariably 
will  deal  reasonably  with  her. 

(c)  Conduct  conformable  to  prayer,  "That 
your  prayers  be  not  hindered."  This  suggests 
the  idea  that  a  man's  conduct  in  his  home  may 
affect  his  prayers.  Many  a  man's  prayers  go 
no  higher  than  his  lips  because  of  the  tyranny 
in  his  home.  A  man's  home  hfe  is  an  indica- 
tion of  his  character.  What  he  is  there  he  is 
everywhere.  Many  men  are  kind,  polite  and 
obliging  away  from  home,  but  are  cross,  sullen 
and  mean  at  home. 

68 


MARRIAGE 


(2)  The  Ideal  Wife  (1  Peter  3:1-6).  She 
will  show  the  following  characteristics : 

(a)  Subjection  to  her  husband  (v.  1). 
"Wives,  be  in  subjection  to  your  own  hus- 
bands." God  made  man  to  be  the  head  of  the 
family.  It  is  the  wife's  business  to  be  subject 
to  her  husband.  This  the  true  woman  will  al- 
ways be,  when  her  husband  shows  the  charac- 
teristics before  mentioned.  It  is  natural  for 
her  to  be  subject  to  him  when  he  is  what  God 
intended  him  to  be.  Most  people  see  only  the 
duty  and  submission  of  the  woman  to  the  man 
without  consideration  of  what  the  man  should 
be.  When  we  keep  before  us  what  kind  of 
husbands  we  should  be,  we  can  consistently 
teach  submission  to  our  wives. 

(b)  Purity  (v.  2).  "Chaste  conversa- 
tion." The  wife  must  be  pure  in  heart,  thought 
and  action.  No  husband  can  love  and  rever- 
ence an  impure  woman. 

(c)  Modesty  (v.  4).  "Meek  and  quiet 
spirit."  This  does  not  mean  submission  occa- 
sioned by  fear.  There  is  nothing  servile  in 
meekness.    One  of  the  marked  characteristics 

69 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

in  Jesus  was  that  of  meekness,  but  He  was  no 
coward.  Someone  has  defined  meekness  as 
being  "self  suppression  issuing  in  benevolent 
service."  The  quiet  spirit  is  the  opposite  of 
loud  and  boisterous  behavior.  A  man  cannot 
honor  a  loud  woman.  If  a  wife,  then,  would 
be  reverenced  by  her  husband  she  dare  not 
display  boisterous  and  masculine  qualities. 

4.  No  separation  allowed  (w.  5-17).  Di- 
vorce is  forbidden.  Marriage  is  for  life.  It  is 
not,  mainly,  a  civil  institution.  That  it  is  a 
divine  arrangement  is  seen  in  the  adaptabihty 
of  sex.  It  dare  not  be  put  off  at  will.  This 
divine  arrangement  is  seen  in  the  Creator's 
adaptability  of  sex,  and  that  God  Himself 
sanctified  it  by  performing  the  first  marriage 
ceremony.  The  party  guilty  of  a  separation 
and  divorce  ought  to  be  dealt  with  as  a  crim- 
inal. He  or  she  ought  to  be  ostracized  from 
society.  Yea,  more,  ought  to  be  imprisoned 
for  life  at  hard  work.  Public  conscience  ought 
to  be  awakened  along  this  line.  The  only 
qualifications  put  upon  this  requirement  are :  a 
temporary  separation  for  certain  ends,  and  in 

70 


MARRIAGE 


case  of  the  willful  desertion  of  an  unbelieving 
partner. 

5.  Be  not  anxious  to  change  your  position 
(w.  18-24).  Some  ascetics  in  the  church  had 
the  idea  that  since  becoming  Christians,  the 
marriage  relationship  should  be  cast  off,  think- 
ing it  sinful;  especially,  when  the  one  partner 
was  not  a  believer.  This  shows  the  influence 
of  the  materialistic  philosophy  of  the  time, 
which  regarded  matter  as  inherently  evil.  The 
apostle  tells  them  that,  as  they  were  called, 
they  should  abide.  They  should  not  be  anxious 
to  change  their  estate.  He  teaches  that  Chris- 
tianity does  not  interfere  with  the  common 
relations  of  life,  but  rather  sanctifies  them. 
Urgency  of  the  hope  of  the  coming  of  the  Lord 
sanctifies  everything  in  life.  The  one  having 
this  hope  will  sit  loose  to  the  things  of  this 
life.  He  will  not  regard  business,  or  pleasure, 
or  the  marriage  relationship,  as  the  chief  things 
of  life,  but,  seeing  these  in  their  true  light,  will 
be  concerned  chiefly  with  the  hope  of  complet- 
ed redemption,  which  occurs  when  the  Lord 
comes.  1 

71 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

II.     INSTRUCTIONS,  CHIEFLY  TO  THE  UN- 
MARRIED.    W.  25-40 

1.  It  is  good  for  the  present  distress  to  re- 
main  single  (w.  25-27).  "Present  distress" 
has  reference  to  the  persecution  which  was  then 
being  waged  against  the  Church.  Those  who 
were  unmarried  found  escape  from  these 
bloody  persecutors  much  easier  than  if  they 
had  famihes  to  care  for.  This  instruction  does 
not  obtain  now,  for  no  such  conditions  exist. 
Under  normal  conditions  it  should  be  the  pur- 
pose of  every  man  and  woman  to  marry  at 
the  proper  time,  save  as  the  Spirit  of  God  calls 
certain  to  work  which  makes  the  married  life 
impracticable. 

2.  Marriage  is  not  sinful  (vv.  28-35). 
Some  seemed  to  think  that  it  was  sinful  to 
marry.  Paul  assures  them  that  there  is  no 
superior  sanctity  in  the  unmarried  state.  Its 
advantage  consists  in  that  it  frees  one  from 
many  of  the  distractions  in  life,  giving  them 
greater  freedom  to  engage  in  the  service  of 
the  Lord.  At  the  same  time,  however,  he 
warns  them  against  thinking  that  marriage  is 

72 


MARRIAGE 


everything  in  life,  the  same  as  he  warns  them 
against  making  business,  or  pleasure,  etc.,  one's 
chief  object  of  interest.  He  insists  that  the 
Christian  should  sit  loose  to  all  earthly  rela- 
tionships and  callings.  In  view  of  this  teach- 
ing, the  Romish  claim  for  celibacy  is  false  to 
both  reason  and  Scripture. 

3.  Advice  to  fathers  as  to  their  virgin 
daughters  (w.  36-38).  The  father  had  abso- 
lute control  over  the  marriage  of  his  daughter. 
When  circumstances  were  favorable  for  the 
marriage  of  his  daughter,  he  should  feel  free 
to  give  his  consent,  as  it  was  not  sinful.  This 
is  no  doubt  the  plain  meaning  of  these  verses. 
We  should  guard  against  the  vicious  use  which 
is  sometimes  made  of  this  to  justify  licentious- 
ness. 

4.  The  marriage  contract  is  annulled  by 
death  (v.  39).  When  one  or  the  other  of  the 
contracting  parties  dies,  the  living  party  is  free 
from  the  marriage  bond. 

5.  Marriage  should  be  only  in  the  Lord  (v. 
39).     Many  times  marriage  is  contracted  on 

73 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

the  basis  of  money,  title,  or  social  position,  in- 
stead of  that  which  is  right  and  honorable. 
None  of  these  things  should  enter  into  the 
marriage  contract,  for  it  is  not  a  commercial 
transaction.  The  commercializing  of  marriage 
has  degraded  the  marriage  relation.  Success- 
ful marriages  are  made  on  the  basis  of  a  three- 
fold affinity.  Anything  short  of  this  must 
eventually  result  in  disaster.  There  must  be, 
first,  physical  affinity.  There  is  something  in 
the  very  physical  makeup  of  men  and  women 
that  makes  them  attractive  and  complemen- 
tary to  each  other.  This  is  most  important; 
yet  of  itself,  is  not  sufficient.  In  addition  to 
this  there  must  be  mental  affinity.  Sometimes 
there  may  be  physical  affijiity,  but  mentally 
there  may  be  no  attraction.  There  should  be 
no  union  unless  there  is  both  physical  and 
mental  affinity.  Among  worldly  people,  mar- 
riages of  this  sort,  may  be  happy  and  success- 
ful. The  third  element  of  true  marriage  is 
spiritual  affinity.  The  Lord  is  pleased  only 
with  marriage  between  His  children.  This  is 
not  to  say  that  the  nonchristian  man  and  the 
nonchristian  woman  should  not  marry.     The 

74 


MARRIAGE 


Christian  has  no  scriptural,  right  to  marry  out- 
side of  the  Church.  How  can  a  believer  be 
joined  to  an  unbeHever?  The  physical  and 
mental  affinities  may  be  all  right,  but  if  the 
spiritual  is  lacking  the  union  is  not  true,  for 
there  must  be  supreme  love  in  every  true  mar- 
riage. If  one  party  hates  Jesus  Christ,  how 
can  the  Christian  supremely  love  the  one  who 
hates  the  One  that  is  loved  best?  Therefore, 
the  union  of  a  believer  with  an  unbeliever 
should  not  be.  Let  it  be  remembered  that  the 
marriage  of  every  Christian  with  one  who  is 
not  a  Christian  is  a  violation  of  the  command- 
ment of  God. 


75 


VIII 

CHRISTIAN  LIBERTY  AND  FOR- 
BEARANCE 

Chapters  8-10 

This  topic  might  be  stated,  with  reference 
to  its  application  to  present-day  life,  as  the 
Christian's  conscience  with  reference  to  amuse- 
ments, way  of  spending  Sunday,  luxury,  so- 
cial affairs,  pleasure,  kinds  of  business,  own- 
ership of  stocks  in  certain  corporations,  etc. 
In  our  mingling  with  society,  many  questions 
arise  such  as  the  above,  about  which  there  is 
no  definite  agreement  among  Christians.  Our 
lesson  affords  principles  which  are  adequate 
for  our  guidance  in  all  these  problems.  The 
occasion  of  this  teaching  was  the  uncertainty 
as  to  the  right  attitude  toward  "things  sacri- 
ficed to  idols."  These  problems  were  vital 
while  the  Christians  were  in  the  midst  of  the 
heathen;  and,  with  their  various  modifications, 
no  less  vital  still.  It  was  customary  to  divide 
the  animal  offered  in  sacrifice  into  three  parts. 

76 


CHRISTIAN  LIBERTY  AND   FORBEARANCE 

One  part  was  consumed  upon  the  altar,  an- 
other part  was  given  to  the  priest,  and  the  third 
part  was  kept  by  the  party  bringing  the  offer- 
ing. The  priest's  part  of  it,  if  he  did  not  need 
it,  was  sold  in  the  markets.  The  part  which 
the  offerer  kept,  sometimes  was  eaten  at  home, 
and  sometimes  in  the  court  of  the  temple.  The 
Christian  who  bought  meat  in  the  market  was 
liable  to  get  meat  which  had  been  dedicated  to 
the  idol  god.  In  fact,  it  seems  that  this  meat 
was  cheaper  than  the  other  meat,  making  it 
natural  for  the  poorer  people  to  buy  it.  Like- 
wise, people  who  had  clear  knowledge  on  the 
question  of  idol  gods  also  would  buy  it.  Then, 
too,  one  would  be  invited  to  eat  socially  at  the 
table  of  someone  who  had  kept  his  portion  of 
the  offering,  and  now  set  it  before  the  people. 
Some,  with  adequate  knowledge,  had  no  scru- 
ples about  it;  others,  with  less  knowledge, 
thought  it  sinful.  To  settle  this  perplexing 
question  of  conscience,  the  apostle  addressed 
himself  in  this  section.  We  may  not  have 
cases  which  are  identical  with  these,  but  the 
principles  set  forth  are  of  wide  and  daily  ap- 
plication. 

77 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 
I.     AN  IDOL  IS  NOTHING.     CH.  8  :l-6 

Paul  makes  the  largest  concession  to  the  lib- 
eralistic  party.  They  knew  that  an  idol  was 
nothing  but  a  piece  of  timber  or  stone.  Paul, 
with  all  intelligent  Christians,  knew  that  there 
was  only  the  one  God,  the  Creator  and  Sus- 
tainer  of  all  things ;  and  that,  therefore,  an  idol 
was  nothing,  had  no  real  existence.  To  such 
Christians  the  eating  of  such  meat  was  a  mat- 
ter of  indifference.  To  eat  made  them  no  bet- 
ter, and  to  refrain  from  eating  made  them 
no  worse.  This,  all  because  an  idol  was  not 
real,  merely  a  superstitious  figment  of  the  im- 
agination. It  should  be  remembered  that  this 
has  reference  to  things  which  are  indifferent 
in  themselves.  We  should  not  make  the  mis- 
take of  widening  this  principle  so  as  to  take 
in  things  which  are  to  be  condemned  in  them- 
selves. To  apply  this  principle  to  things  con- 
demnatory in  themselves,  would  be  a  perver- 
sion of  Paul's  teaching.  This  principle  could 
not  be  applied  to  the  use  of  intoxicating  li- 
quors, tobacco,  and  the  holding  of  stocks  in 
certain  corporations,  and  to  certain  methods 
and  lines  of  business,  because  they  are  injur- 

78 


CHRISTIAN  LIBERTY  AND   FORBEARANCE 

ious  and  wrong  in  themselves.  This  principle 
may  be  applied  to  such  things  as  are  harmless 
in  themselves.  Even  harmless  things  may  be- 
come harmful,  if  they  gain  the  mastery  over 
one.  The  necessary  instruction  is  given,  as 
something  more  than  knowledge  is  required  to 
guide  us  in  these  matters.  Knowledge  alone 
puffeth  up,  but  knowledge  controlled  by  love 
will  be  unto  edification. 

II.      NOT  ALL   CHRISTIANS   HAVE   MATURITY  OF 
DISCERNMENT.    CH.  8  :7,  8 

Some  Christians  still  were  possessed  of  the 
conviction  that  an  idol  was  really  a  living  and 
powerful  thing.  For  such  persons  to  sit  down 
to  a  social  meal  where  such  meat  was  eaten 
would  bring  them  under  bondage  to  their  for- 
mer sins  and  practices.  The  same  would  be 
true  of  those  who  would  purchase  any  such 
meat  in  the  market.  Further,  for  such  persons 
to  see  those  who  had  knowledge  of  the  matter 
eating  such  meat,  would  cause  them  to  stum- 
ble. Conditions  were  such  that  it  was  highly 
important  that  great  care  should  be  exercised 
lest  someone  for  whom  Christ  died  should  be 

79 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

made  to  stumble.  Christian  liberty  is  limited 
by  consideration  for  others.  No  Christian 
lives  unto  himself.  He  is  a  member  of  a  body; 
a  chain  of  solidarity  unites  him  to  others. 
Even  granting  that  a  man  might  control  him- 
self in  such  matters  as  gambling  and  drink- 
ing, he  is  partaking  of  that  which  is  the  cause 
of  untold  suffering  and  crime  in  the  world. 
He  should  consider  the  conscience  of  the  weak 
brother,  avoiding  all  appearance  of  evil. 

III.  THE  christian's  BEHAVIOR  IN  SUCH  CASES 

CH.  8:9-13 

His  life  should  be  governed  by  the  princi- 
ple of  love,  for  love  is  more  important  than 
knowledge  (v.  1).  This  love-knowledge  will 
move  a  man  to  abridge  his  liberty  for  the  sake 
of  the  weak  brother.  The  one  who  has  a  prop- 
er understanding  of  what  idols  are  can  eat  such 
meat  with  impunity,  but,  lest  he  should  cause 
his  weak  brother  to  stumble,  he  should  deny 
himself  of  his  rights.  Not  to  do  so  is  to  sin 
against  him  for  whom  Christ  died,  yea,  even 
against  Christ  Himself.  To  tempt  weak  and 
ignorant  Christians  is  an  awful  crime.    In  all 

80 


CHRISTIAN  LIBERTY  AND   FORBEARANCE 

our  actions,  our  chief  concern  and  main  ques- 
tion should  be,  not.  Will  it  harm  me?  but, 
Will  it  harm  my  brother?  In  connection  with 
such  action  note  three  things: 

First,  the  fate  of  the  weak  brother  (v.  11) 
— he  perishes.  Human  sympathy,  let  alone 
Christian  love,  would  move  a  man  to  consider 
such  loss.  Second,  the  relation  of  the  man  to 
his  slayer — a  brother.  Third,  what  Christ  did 
for  the  weak  brother — He  died  for  him.  There- 
fore, to  sin  against  a  brother  is  to  sin  against 
Christ,  because  the  brother  is  a  member  of 
Christ's  body.  Doing  that  which  is  innocent 
in  itself,  is  sinful,  if  it  leads  others  into  sin. 
If  Christ  was  willing  to  die  for  him,  should  we 
not  be  willing  to  deny  ourselves  of  personal 
rights  for  his  sake?  If  we  apply  this  princi- 
ple to  our  lives,  the  question  of  dancing, 
theatre-going,  Sunday  liberties,  luxurious  liv- 
ing, etc.,  will  be  solved. 

IV.      THE  TEACHING  EXEMPLIFIED  IN  PAUL's 
LIFE.    CH.  9 

At  Corinth  Paul  worked  with  his  own  hands, 
lest  his  mission  to  them  should  be  misjudged. 

81 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

He  did  not  ask  them  for  anything  in  the  way 
of  support.  By  means  of  his  own  labors  and 
the  donations  which  he  received  from  the  Mac- 
edonian churches,  he  was  able  to  boast  that  he 
had  not  been  chargeable  to  them.  They 
seemed  to  use  this  very  fact  as  a  proof  against 
his  apostleship.  He  defended  himself  against 
this  charge  by  showing  that  he  had  a  right  to 
have  a  wife  and  the  enjoyments  of  a  home 
while  they  supported  him.  This  right  is  em- 
bodied in  a  proposition  set  forth  in  verse  14. 
"Even  so  hath  the  Lord  ordained  that  they 
which  preach  the  gospel  should  live  of  the  gos- 
pel." This  proposition  he  sustains  by  the  fol- 
lowing unanswerable  arguments: 

1.  Common  rights  of  the  apostolic  office 
(v.  5).  From  his  reference  to  Peter  and  the 
other  apostles  as  enjoying  such  rights,  we  in- 
fer that  it  was  a  right  which  attached  to  the 
apostolic  office. 

2.  The  universal  principle  of  remunera- 
tion (v.  7).  The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  re- 
ward.   This  is  set  forth  under  three  figures; 

(a)  The  soldier,  "Who  goeth  a  warfare 
any  time  at  his  own  charges?"     The  soldier 

82 


CHRISTIAN   LIBERTY  AND   FORBEARANCE 

who  lays  down  his  life  on  the  altar  of  sacrifice 
in  behalf  of  his  own  country  is  entitled  to  the 
support  of  his  government.  The  right  is  un- 
challenged. He  is  not  only  supported  while 
in  the  service,  but  receives  wages  in  additionj 
and  enjoys  a  pension  when  old. 

(b)  The  farmer,  "Who  planteth  a  vine« 
yard  and  eateth  not  of  the  fruit  thereof?'' 
The  husbandman  who  plants  a  vineyard  eats 
of  the  fruit  without  any  compunctions  of  con- 
science. No  one  thinks  him  selfish  and  greedy 
for  so  doing.  Even  so  the  minister  should  re- 
ceive a  reasonable  compensation  for  his  work. 

(c)  The  shepherd,  "Who  feedeth  a  flock 
and  eateth  not  of  the  milk  of  the  flock?"  The 
man  who  feeds  his  flock  has  a  right  to  enjoy 
the  benefits  thereof.  In  the  same  manner,  the 
minister  who  gives  his  energy  and  time  to  the 
Church  should  receive  his  support  from  her. 

3.  From  the  law  (v.  8-10).  "Thou  shalt 
not  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that  treadeth 
out  the  corn."  No  one  challenges  the  right  of 
the  ox  that  treadeth  out  the  corn  to  receive  his 
food.    Neither  should  the  right  of  the  minister 

83 


THE    CHURCH   AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

to  compensation  be  challenged.  The  apostle 
asserts  that  this  statement  concerning  the  ox 
was  not  only  written  for  the  people  of  that  day, 
but  for  us  as  well.  For  a  man  to  deprive  his 
ox  of  food  and  shelter  after  having  plowed 
all  day  would  seem  extremely  cruel.  It  is  cer- 
tainly no  less  cruel  to  starve  a  minister. 

4.  From  the  superiority  of  spiritual  things 
over  temporal  (vv.  11, 12) .  "If  others  be  par- 
takers of  this  power  over  you,  are  not  we 
rather?"  Lest  someone  should  object  to  his 
placing  these  things  on  a  parity,  he  insists  that 
if  there  be  any  differences,  it  is  that  the  min- 
ister has  even  a  greater  right  to  receive  his  sup- 
port than  those  who  deal  with  the  things  of 
time  and  sense;  for  spiritual  things  have  a 
place  which  is  preeminent. 

5.  From  analogy  to  the  priest  (v.  13). 
"Do  ye  not  know  that  they  which  minister 
about  holy  things  live  of  the  things  of  the  tem- 
ple, and  they  which  wait  at  the  altar  are  par- 
takers with  the  altar?"  The  priests  filled  their 
office  by  divine  appointment.  Therefore,  they 
had  a  divine  right  to  their  support.  The  Chris- 

84 


CHRISTIAN  LIBERTY  AND   FORBEARANCE 

tian  minister,  if  he  be  a  minister  at  all,  is  offi- 
ciating by  the  appointment  of  heaven.  There- 
fore, he  has  a  God-given  right  to  live  from  the 
people  he  serves.  Paul  makes  a  very  strong 
case,  but  tells  us  that  he  waived  it  in  the  inter- 
ests of  the  weak  brother.  Lest  he  should  be 
misjudged  he  denied  himself  and  labored  with 
his  own  hands.  He  brought  his  life  under  the 
most  rigid  control  for  the  sake  of  others.  If, 
therefore,  Paul  would  deny  himself  to  such  an 
extent,  rather  than  place  a  difficulty  in  the 
way  of  any  man,  it  is  shown  that  it  should  be 
practiced  by  those  who  would  eat  of  the  meat. 

V.    WARNINGS.    CH.  10:1-22 

1.  From  the  experiences  of  the  Israelites 
in  the  wilderness.  They  failed  to  enter  the 
promised  land  despite  their  promising  begin- 
ning. They  disregarded  the  Lord's  direc- 
tions, and  suffered  defeat  and  disaster  as  a  con- 
sequence. Their  failures  and  judgments 
should  be  a  warning  to  us,  lest  we  through 
lack  of  faith  and  a  desire  to  walk  after  our  own 
lust,  should  fail  likewise.  We  should  not  even 
presume  upon  God's  electing  love.  The  devices 

85 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

of  the  adversary  are  many.  We  should  be  ex- 
tremely vigilant.  God  is  faithful  and  will  not 
allow  us  to  be  tempted  above  that  we  are  able. 
Through  lack  of  faith  and  walking  after  our 
own  lust  we  may  be  chastised  of  God  as  were 
the  Israelites. 

2.  From  danger  of  lapsing  into  idolatry 
(vv.  14-22).  It  is  utterly  impossible  to  have 
fellowship  with  Christ  in  the  communion  of 
His  body  and  blood,  together  with  participa- 
tion in  sacrifices  and  idolatrous  feasts.  Those 
who  have  communed  with  Christ  are  under  ob- 
ligation to  obey  Him  and  to  consider  the  in- 
terests of  their  fellow  Christians,  for  they  are 
parts  of  one  body.  Whatever  the  cost  the 
Christian  must  be  entirely  separate  from  any- 
thing which  is  in  opposition  to  Christ  and  His 
Church.  Sitting  at  the  Lord's  table  puts  us 
under  solemn  obligation  to  forsake  all  others. 
Christ  must  have  first  place,  or  none  at  all. 
He  is  Lord  of  all,  or  not  Lord  at  aU.  Then, 
too,  their  partaking  with  them  who  sat  at  the 
idol's  feast  brought  them  under  authority  of 
the  idol.     The  thing  which  was  necessary  for 

86 


CHRISTIAN  LIBERTY  AND   FORBEARANCE 

the  Christian  to  do  was  to  free  himself  entire- 
ly from  all  entanglements  with  the  doings  of 
the  heathen,  because  of  the  effect  upon  his  own 
Hfe  and  because  of  the  effect  upon  his  brother. 
Again,  we  are  enabled  to  apply  these  princi- 
ples to  the  matter  of  dancing,  card-playing, 
theatre-going,  etc.,  because  these  things  are  al- 
ways opposed  to  Christ  and  His  Church.  No 
man  or  woman,  wholly  dedicated  to  God,  ever 
gave  themselves  to  dancing,  card-playing,  etc. 

VI.      THE  TEACHING  APPLIED.      CH.    10:23-11:1 

The  one  who  has  knowledge  should  bear 
with  the  weak  one,  and  at  the  same  time  should 
seek  to  teach  his  brother  the  truth  so  as  to  set 
him  free  from  bondage  and  superstition.  At 
the  same  time,  he  should  not  allow  the  whims 
and  superstitious  notions  of  the  weaker  man  to 
make  him  a  slave.  The  glory  of  God  should 
always  be  kept  in  view  in  all  things. 

1.  The  Christian  can  indulge  in  "lawful 
things"  only  as  they  are  expedient  and  unto 
edification  (v.  23).  There  are  many  things 
which  may  be  lawful  unto  us,  but  it  may  not 

87 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

be  expedient  nor  edifying  to  indulge  in  them. 

2.  "Let  no  man  seek  his  own,  but  each 
his  neighbor's  good"  (v.  24).  The  very  prin- 
ciple of  love  is  unselfishness.  Therefore,  the 
one  wholly  controlled  by  love  considers  the 
other's  interests  rather  than  his  own. 

3.  "Whether,  therefore,  ye  eat  or  drink,  or 
whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God" 
(v.  31).  The  Christian  is  not  at  liberty  to  do 
that  upon  which  he  could  not  ask  God's  bless- 
ing. It  is  preposterous  to  think  that  you  could 
ask  God's  blessing  upon  a  winecup,  upon 
dancing,  gambling,  theatre-going,  fashion- 
hunting,  luxurious  extravagance,  and  Sunday 
desecration. 

4.  Give  no  occasion  for  anyone  to  stumble 
(v.  32).  We  should  so  live  that  no  one  can 
ever  say  that  we  have  been  the  occasion  of  his 
downfall. 

5.  Follow  the  example  of  Jesus  Christ  (ch. 
11:1).  Christ,  through  love,  gave  up  all  for 
the  sake  of  others.  He  did  not  please  himself. 
Everyone,  therefore,  who  is  Christ's,  should 
imitate  Him. 

88 


IX 

PROPER  DECORUM  IN  THE  PUB- 
LIC ASSEMBLY 

;  Chapter  11 

Questions  of  a  more  public  nature  now  come 
up  for  consideration.  In  this  chapter  consid- 
eration is  given  to  the  administration  of  the 
affairs  of  the  pubHc  assembly.  The  particular 
abuses  referred  to  are,  the  improper  dress  and 
behavior  of  women ;  and,  abuses  in  the  admin- 
istration of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  true 
Christian  will  be  careful  to  maintain  decency 
and  decorum  in  public  worship.  The  Church 
is  Christ's  witness.  His  witness  cannot  afford 
to  be  careless  in  matters  which  seem  trivial. 
How  often  her  testimony  is  marred  through 
neglect  of  the  little  things.  The  misconduct 
of  the  women  was  occasioned  by  a  perversion 
of  Paul's  doctrine  of  the  spiritual  equahty  of 
believers.  In  Galatians  3 :26-28  the  broad  prin- 
ciple of  spiritual  equality  in  Christ  is  enun- 

89 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

ciated.  "For  ye  are  all  sons  of  God  through 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ;  for  as  many  of  you  as 
were  baptized  into  Christ  did  put  on  Christ. 
There  can  be  neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  there 
can  be  neither  bond  nor  free,  there  can  be 
no  male  and  female,  for  ye  are  all  one  man 
in  Christ  Jesus  (R.  V.)"  This  principle 
needs  decided  emphasis  today  in  some 
quarters.  It  was  quite  in  contrast  with  the 
modes  of  thought  of  that  day,  especially,  with 
reference  to  woman's  position.  The  women 
were  regarded  as  men's  chattels.  When  the 
truth  dawned  upon  the  women  that  they  were 
not  mere  toys  or  slaves  nor  appendages  to 
men's  establishments,  they  overstepped  the 
bounds  of  propriety.  They  even  appeared  in 
the  public  assembly  unveiled  to  engage  in 
prayer  and  prophesying.  The  spiritual  equal- 
ity of  the  woman  with  the  man  does  not  de- 
stroy the  fact  of  his  headship.  Man's  headship 
is  a  divine  decree.  A  disregard  for  this  truth 
works  disaster  to  human  society.  Woman's 
subordination  is  social,  not  spiritual.  The  hus- 
band represents  his  wife  in  things  civil  and  so- 
cial, but  not  in  spiritual  matters.    In  marriage 

90 


PROPER  DECORUM 


the  woman  takes  the  man's  name,  not  the  man 
the  woman's  name.  Woman's  freedom  in 
Christ  does  not  dissolve  her  social  relations, 
but  sanctifies  them.  The  boy  in  the  home,  be- 
coming a  Christian,  is  still  in  subordination  to 
his  parents.  Personal  equality  is  consistent 
with  social  subordination.  The  application  of 
this  principle  is  Paul's  method  of  dealing  with 
this  question.  For  a  woman  to  appear  in  the 
public  assembly,  disregarding  this  convention- 
ality,— unveiled, — was  not  only  indecorous,  but 
expressed  a  desire  on  her  part  to  exchange 
sexes;  and  a  disregard  for  man's  headship. 
Woman  is  not  inferior  to  man.  She  may  have 
equal  mental  and  spiritual  endowments,  but 
she  exercises  them  in  a  different  sphere.  As 
Christ,  though  equal  with  the  Father,  is  sub- 
ordinate to  Him,  so  a  woman's  subordination 
is  not  out  of  keeping  with  her  equality. 

I.    woman's  place  and  behavior  in  the 

PUBLIC  ASSEMBLY.    W.  2-16 

In  Paul's  effort  to  correct  the  abuse  which 
had  crept  into  the  Corinthian  church,  he  casts 
up  to  light  a  truth  which  may  be  embodied  in 

91 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

a  formal  proposition,  as  follows:  Woman 
should  show  her  recognition  of  man's  head- 
ship, and  her  consequent  subordination  to 
him,  by  a  becoming  dress  and  behavior.  The 
particular  dress  referred  to  in  this  case  was 
the  Oriental  veil.  This  proposition  is  sup- 
ported by  the  following  arguments: 

1.  The  divine  order  in  the  scheme  of  redemp- 
tion (w.  3-5).  In  this  order  Christ  is  the  su- 
preme and  grand  center  from  which  the  line 
descends  to  man,  and  ascends  to  God.  The 
head  of  the  man  is  Christ;  the  head  of  the 
woman  is  the  man;  the  head  of  Christ  is  God. 
Man  should  not  thrust  himself  into  the  place 
of  Christ — that  would  be  blasphemy.  For  the 
woman  to  assume  man's  place  would  not  be 
blasphemy,  but  it  would  be  a  perversion  of  the 
divine  order.  In  the  public  assembly  the 
woman  should  recognize  her  place  of  subordi- 
nation by  the  proper  dress  and  behavior.  She 
should  appear  there,  as  everywhere,  as  man's 
companion,  not  his  rival  and  competitor. 

2.  From  moral  propriety  (w.  6-9).  For  a 
woman  to  appear  in  the  public  assembly  in 

'      92 


PROPER  DECORUM 


that  day,  unveiled,  exposed  her  to  the  same 
suspicion  as  if  she  were  shaven.  Even  in  our 
own  country  and  time,  a  short-haired  woman 
is  an  object  of  shame.  A  woman's  character 
can  generally  be  determined  by  her  hair  and 
dress.  Many  women  professing  godliness 
would  be  suspected  as  public  characters 
should  they  appear  on  the  streets  of  Paris  to- 
day, wearing  their  hair  and  dresses  as  they  do. 
Man  is  the  glory  of  God,  therefore,  he  should 
appear  unveiled.  The  woman  should  be  veiled 
because  she  is  the  glory  of  man.  She  is  man's 
ornament.  In  this  we  see  a  reversal  of  the 
order  of  nature.  Among  the  animals  the  male 
is  the  one  clothed  with  glory  and  splendor, 
while  his  female  wears  the  common  and  ordi- 
nary garb.  This  makes  woman  to  shine  forth 
in  her  divinely  appointed  sphere.  She  is  not 
lower  than  man,  but  in  her  place  of  social  sub- 
ordination should  wear  the  conventional  sign 
for  such  position.  Let  it  be  forever  noted  that 
subordination  does  not  mean  inferiority.  Fur- 
ther, the  woman  was  created  for  the  man,  not 
the  man  for  the  woman.  The  true  woman 
now,  as  always,  finds  her  delight  in  this ;  rebel- 

93 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

lion   and   insubordination   being   found   only 
with  the  imperfect,  narrow  and  ignoble. 

3.  From  the  eacami^le  of  the  angels  (v.  10). 
As  the  angels  veiled  themselves  in  the  pres- 
ence of  Jehovah,  to  show  their  subjection,  so 
should  the  women  show  their  subordination  by 
the  proper  dress  and  behavior  (See  Isaiah 
6  :l-3) .  She  should  have  the  conventional  sign 
which  shows  her  subordination.  Observe  that, 
lest  woman's  position  and  value  be  unduly  de- 
preciated, the  apostle  issues  the  following: 
"Nevertheless,  neither  is  the  woman  without 
the  man  or  the  man  without  the  woman  in  the 
Lord;  for  as  the  woman  is  of  the  man,  so  is 
the  man  also  by  the  woman;  but  all  things  are 
of  God  (vv.  11,  12).  God's  arrangement  is 
that  the  woman  is  man's  complement.  In  the 
beginning  God  declared  that  it  was  not  good 
for  man  to  be  alone.  The  unit  of  society,  as 
God  constituted  it,  is  the  man  and  the  woman 
united.  Man  is  not  without  the  woman,  neith- 
er the  woman  without  the  man. 

4.  From  mans  intuitive  judgment  (v.  13). 
He  now  appeals  to  man's  judgment,  which 

94 


PROPER  DECORUM 


God  gave  him.  The  constitution  of  man's 
nature  is  derived  from  God.  Therefore,  the 
laws  which  He  impressed  upon  it  are  His  rev- 
elations. In  our  lives  we  should  not  go  against 
the  fundamental  laws  which  the  Creator  im- 
pressed upon  our  personalities. 

5.  From  nature  (vv.  14,  15).  Woman's  un- 
alterable physical  characteristics  indicate  her 
sphere. 

(a)  Her  mental  characteristics  indicate  her 
sphere.  Although  we  find  her,  here  and  there, 
through  force  of  circumstance,  crowded  into 
the  position  rightfully  belonging  to  man;  and 
sometimes  impelled  by  her  altruistic  sympa- 
thies ;  but  when  left  free,  she  gravitates  to  her 
God-appointed  sphere — the  home. 

(b)  Her  physical  frame  is  lighter,  the  very 
texture  of  her  body  finer,  indicating  that  she 
was  not  made  for  the  rougher  life. 

(c)  Her  long  hair.  Nature  gave  her  long 
hair,  while  it  gave  to  the  man  short  hair.  Na- 
ture puts  a  distinction  between  the  sexes. 
Long  hair  is  a  dishonor  to  a  man,  while  it  is  a 
glory  to  the  woman.    We  instinctively,  as  well 

95 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

as  experimentally,  look  out  for  the  long-haired 
man,  as  well  as  for  the  short-haired  woman. 
This  distinction  should  not  be  ignored  even  in 
the  Church.  To  do  so  is  to  sin  against  the 
God  of  nature.  When  God  became  incarnate 
and  the  head  of  a  new  race.  He  appeared  not 
as  a  woman,  but  as  a  man,  indicating  that  in 
the  new  race,  in  the  new  order  of  things,  man's 
headship  should  obtain. 

6.  From  apostolic  authority  (v.  16).  Those 
who  were  disposed  to  disregard  such  powerful 
arguments  were  compelled  to  meet  with  au- 
thority. We  should  not  imagine  that  now 
Paul  means  to  give  up  his  arguments;  but 
rather  that  he  appeals  to  authority  to  end  the 
controversy,  showing  that  when  reason  fails, 
authority  must  be  exercised.  May  it  not  be 
that  in  the  near  future,  for  the  restoration  and 
maintenance  of  the  civil  and  social  order,  au- 
thority must  be  exercised. 

II.   THE  PROPER  OBSERVANCE  OF  THE  LORD^S 
SUPPER 

Fearful  abuses  had  crept  into  the  Corinthian 
church  touching  the  observance  of  the  Lord's 

96 


PROPER  DECORUM 


Supper.  It  was  degraded  to  the  level  of  a 
common  meal.  A  full  meal  seems  to  have  pre- 
ceded the  communion,  called  the  love  feast,  or 
"agape."  It  was  a  meal  of  fellowship.  It 
seems  to  have  originated  from  the  paschal  sup- 
per. However,  there  is  historical  intimation 
that  among  the  Greeks  there  was  some  kind 
of  a  meal  of  fellowship.  Some  were  rich  and 
brought  much  provisions;  some  were  too  poor 
to  bring  any  at  all.  At  first,  when  the  mem- 
bers were  controlled  by  the  warmth  of  first 
love,  the  provisions  were  spread  before  all,  and 
rich  and  poor  partook  on  a  common  level.  Soon 
the  spirit  of  common  brotherhood  waned,  and 
the  rich  excessively  indulged  in  their  abundant 
provisions,  while  the  poor  were  left  hungry. 
Then,  too,  divisions  were  manifesting  them- 
selves even  in  connection  with  so  unifying  an 
ordinance  as  the  communion  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  ordi- 
nance typified  the  most  intimate  relationship 
and  closest  communion,  but  became  the  man- 
ifestation of  party  spirit.  They  failed  entirely 
to  apprehend  the  significance  of  this  institu- 
tion.     They   not   only   introduced   into   the 

97 


THE    CHURCH   AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

Church  the  practices  which  were  common 
among  the  heathen  in  their  feasts ;  but  formed 
cHques  and  parties  according  to  their  social 
position,  wealth  and  doctrinal  tenets.  The  ex- 
istence of  these  sects  proved  that  they  had  no 
proper  recognition  of  the  dignity  of  the 
Church.  Such  behavior  exposed  the  poor  to 
open  shame.  Under  such  conditions  the 
apostle  insists  that  the  Lord's  Supper  could 
not  be  observed. 

Touching  the  communion,  observe: 

1.  It  was  instituted  by  the  Lord  Himself 
and  given  to  Paul  (v.  23).  It  is  an  unique 
institution  and  of  divine  origin. 

2.  Its  design: 

(a)  It  was  a  memorial  to  the  sacrificial  death 
of  Jesus  (v.  24).  Everything  centers  in  the 
death  of  Jesus.  It  is  His  death  which  makes 
possible  the  remission  of  sins.  In  fact,  it  is 
the  very  foundation  of  all  vital  relationship 
to  God. 

(b)  The  present  participation  in  the  living 
Christ  (John  6) .  He  is  the  food  of  our  souls. 
Our  minds,  our  wills,  our  hopes  center  in  Him. 

98 


PROPER  DECORUM 


(c)  A  prophecy  of  Christ's  coining  again 
(v.  26).  It  is  to  be  observed  till  He  comes 
again.  Thus  the  cross  is  linked  to  the  throne 
of  God.  We  shall  drink  it  anew  in  the  king- 
dom. Heaven  will  be  a  most  real  and  enjoy- 
able feast. 

3.  it  should  be  preceded  by  a  self -examina- 
tion (v.  28) .  Commmiicants  should  enter  into 
a  careful  examination,  not  only  as  to  their 
hearts  and  lives  but  as  to  their  apprehension 
of  the  purpose  of  this  institution.  They  should 
have  a  proper  discernment  of  the  body  of 
Christ,  that  is,  the  Church. 

4.  Ignorant  or  wilful  abuse  of  this  institu- 
tion exposes  to  the  judgment  of  God  (w.  27, 
29).  Involved  in  this  judgment  is  physical 
affliction.  Many  are  the  physical  ills  which 
are  visited  upon  our  bodies  because  of  our 
failure  to  understand  the  meaning  of  this  ordi- 
nance. Then,  too,  physical  death  not  infre- 
quently is  visited  upon  those  who  presumptu- 
ously approach  the  Lord's  table.  Since  in  ap- 
proaching the  Lord's  table  we  approach  the 
Lord  Himself,  we  should  approach  it  with  the 
fullest  preparation  of  heart. 

99 


X 

SPIRITUAL  GIFTS 

Chapters  12-14 

The  remarkable  effusion  of  the  Spirit  in 
Messianic  times  was  predicted  by  the  prophet 
Joel.  "And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days, 
saith  God,  I  will  pour  out  of  my  Spirit  upon 
all  flesh;  and  your  sons  and  your  daughters 
shall  prophesy,  and  your  young  men  shall  see 
visions,  and  your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams : 
and  on  my  servants  and  upon  my  hand- 
maidens I  will  pour  out  in  those  days  of  my 
Spirit;  and  they  shall  prophesy"  (Acts  2:17, 
18;  compare  Joel  2:28,  29).  The  Lord  Him- 
self before  His  crucifixion  promised  to  send 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  the  helper  and  guide  of 
His  people.  This  was  fulfilled  historically  on 
the  day  of  Pentecost.  This  new  dispensation 
was  marked,  first,  by  a  great  diffusion  of  the 
gifts  of  the  Spirit.  They  extended  to  all  class- 
es— young  and  old,  male  and  female,  rich  and 

100 


SPIRITUAL    GIFTS 


poor,  learned  and  illiterate.  Second,  these  en- 
dowments were  marked  by  great  diversity.  In 
a  church  where  such  conditions  prevailed,  it 
would  be  quite  reasonable  to  suppose  that  con- 
fusion would  arise.  Divine  life  suddenly 
poured  into  human  nature  stirred  it  to  unusual 
power.  The  same  may  be  expected  today. 
Some  will  lay  claim  to  these  gifts,  under  delu- 
sion. We  see  on  every  hand  such  pretensions 
today.  Some  who  are  imposters  may  lay  claim 
to  them.  Some  would  become  inflated  with 
pride  because  of  their  gifts.  Some  would  be- 
come dissatisfied  with  their  own  gifts  and  be 
envious  of  the  gifts  of  others.  Some  would 
not  give  consideration  to  the  rights  of  others. 
To  the  task  of  correcting  these  abuses  and 
irregularities,  the  apostle  addresses  himself  in 
these  chapters. 

I.     THE   INFALLIBLE   CRITERION.     CH.    12:1-3 

When  one  laid  claim  to  the  gift  of  the  Spirit 
his  claim  was  to  be  tested.  The  infallible  test 
which  determines  whether  gifts  are  spurious  or 
genuine  is  his  conception  of,  and  attitude 
toward,  Jesus  Christ.    Only  those  who  recog- 

101 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

nize  Him  as  God  manifest  in  the  flesh — ^His 
vicarious  atonement  on  the  cross — and  submit 
to  Him  as  their  Lord,  the  One  who  actually 
controls  their  lives,  must  be  recognized  as  pos- 
sessing the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  If  Christ 
is  not  Lord  of  all  He  is  not  Lord  at  all.  Christ 
said  that  the  supreme  business  of  the  Spirit 
when  He  came  would  be  to  testify  of  Him — 
to  take  of  His  things  and  show  them  unto  us. 
He  who  does  not  speak  of  the  divine  death  on 
the  cross  does  not  speak  by  the  Spirit.  The 
soundness  of  the  faith  of  a  man  is  the  sign  of 
his  conmiission  from  God.  Regardless  of  elo- 
quence or  learning,  the  man  who  does  not  thus 
view  Christ  should  not  be  tolerated  as  a  teach- 
er, nor  even  a  member  of  the  body  of  Christ. 
Too  frequently  in  our  day  a  man's  learning 
or  his  ordination  is  considered,  while  his  mes- 
sage and  personal  life  are  ignored. 

II.     THE  DIVERSITY  OF  SPIRITUAL   GIFTS 

CH.  12:4-11 

In  the  Church  there  are  those  possessing  the 
gift  of  wisdom,  knowledge,  faith,  healing, 
power  of  working  miracles,  prophecy,  discern- 

102 


SPIRITUAL     GIFTS 


ing  of  spirits,  divers  kinds  of  tongues,  and  the 
interpretation  of  tongues.  Whatever  the  form 
of  the  gift,  whether  of  testimony  concerning 
Christ,  the  working  of  miracles  in  demonstra- 
tion of  the  power  of  God,  or  graces  in  the  life 
of  the  individual,  they  are  all  manifestations 
of  the  same  Spirit,  dwelling  in  the  Church  for 
the  edification  of  the  body.  These  gifts  are 
not  for  the  purpose  of  confusion  or  to  minister 
to  the  personal  vanity  of  anyone,  but  for  the 
edification  of  all.  They  are  not  for  the  profit 
of  the  individual,  save  as  the  entire  body  may 
be  helped.  The  utility  and  efficiency  of  the 
body  are  greatly  increased  by  the  multiplicity 
of  the  component  membership.  So  also  by  the 
diversity  of  gifts. 

III.   THE  UNITY  OF  THE  SPIRIT^S  GIFTS 

CH.  12:21-31 

Christian  unity  is  a  vital  unity,  because  it  is 
effected  by  the  one  indwelling  Holy  Spirit. 
This  unity  amid  diversity  is  represented  under 
the  figure  of  a  human  body.  The  Church,  the 
body  of  Christ,  is  an  organism  as  really  as  the 
human  body.    Observe: 

103 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

1.  The  human  body  has  many  members j  each 
performing  distinct  functions  for  the  good  of 
the  body.  So  also  has  the  Church.  A  multiphc- 
ity  of  organs  cannot  make  a  body,  neither  can 
a  multitude  of  people  make  a  Church.  The 
Holy  Spirit  is  the  unifying  power  which  per- 
vades the  whole  organism  preventing  friction. 

2.  The  members  of  the  Church  are  mutually 
related  and  interdependent,  just  as  the  mem- 
bers of  the  human  body.  The  welfare  of  the 
one  is  the  welfare  of  the  other;  the  shame  of 
the  one  is  the  shame  of  the  other ;  the  glory  of 
the  one  is  the  glory  of  the  other;  they  are 
united  by  a  bond  of  mutual  sympathy. 

3.  The  members  of  the  body  have  their 
places,  not  by  their  own  choice,  but  by  the 
sovereign  will  and  appointment  of  God.  Since 
the  divine  will,  not  theirs,  determines  their  po- 
sition in  the  body,  and  gifts,  there  is  absolutely 
no  reason  for  envy  and  jealousy  in  the  Church. 
The  feet  have  no  right  to  envy  the  hands ;  the 
ears  have  no  right  to  envy  the  tongue ;  the  legs 
have  no  right  to  envy  the  head;  each  should 
be  content  to  do  the  very  best  possible  in  his 

104 


SPIRITUAL     GIFTS 


place,  knowing  that  his  place  and  work  have 
been  given  him  by  the  all- wise  God. 

4.  The  members  in  the  body  which  are  the 
least  attractive  and  observed  are  the  most  in- 
dispensable to  its  existence.  The  same  is  true 
in  the  Church — the  most  attractive  gifts  are 
the  least  useful.  In  the  Church,  therefore, 
there  should  be  no  rivalry,  for  each  has  its 
place  and  work  by  God's  appointment.  There 
should  be  no  indifference  toward  each  other, 
for  they  are  mutually  and  sympathetically  re- 
lated. The  one  possessing  superior  gifts, 
should  not  think  himself  above  the  other,  be- 
cause they  are  but  different  parts  of  the  one 
body. 

IV.     LOVE   IS   BETTER   THAN   THE   MOST   EXTRA- 
ORDINARY GIFTS.    CH.  13 

The  apostle  does  not  discourage  the  earnest 
desire  and  struggle  for  the  best  gifts;  but  he 
shows  that  there  is  a  gift  of  the  Spirit  which 
is  better  than  any  of  those  mentioned — namely, 
to  have  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  our 
hearts.  Not  all  can  teach,  preach,  work  mira- 
cles, speak  with  tongues,  and  interpret  tongues, 

105 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

but  the  gift  of  love  is  within  the  reach  of  all. 
The  "more  excellent  way"  of  the  last  verse  of 
the  twelfth  chapter  is  the  way  of  love,  as  set 
forth  in  the  thirteenth  chapter.  Love  is  not 
a  mere  sentiment  or  emotion,  but  a  mighty 
dynamic  which  transforms  the  life,  expressing 
itself  in  practical  service  to  men.  Love  is  the 
mainspring  of  all  service  which  counts  for  any- 
thing in  the  scale  of  eternal  values.    Note : 

1.  The  preeminence  of  love  (vv.  1-3).  It 
transcends : 

(a)  Speaking  with  tongues.  For  men  to 
possess  the  loftiest  eloquence,  to  be  able  to 
speak  in  other  languages,  and  to  be  lacking  in 
love,  is  to  be  as  sounding  brass  and  a  tinkling 
cymbal.  To  be  able  to  speak  pleasingly  and 
powerfully  is  desirable,  but  to  love  is  better. 

(b)  The  gift  of  prophecy.  To  disclose  the 
events  of  the  future,  to  be  able  to  unfold  all 
mysteries,  to  penetrate  the  mysteries  of  nature 
and  providence,  is  good,  but  to  love  is  better. 

(c)  Faith  of  the  most  vigorous  kind. 

(d)  Philanthropy    of   the   most   generous 

106 


SPIRITUAL    GIFTS 


sort,  prompting  one  to  surrender  all  earthly 
goods  for  the  sake  of  the  poor. 

(e)  Heroic  devotion  which  leads  even  to 
martyrdom.  All  these  without  love  are  profit- 
less. 

2.  The  attributes  of  love  (vv.  4-7). 

(a)  It  is  longsuffering  and  kind.  It  means 
not  only  to  bear  long,  but  to  be  kind  all  the 
while.  It  is  much  easier  to  bear  long  than  to 
show  the  spirit  of  kindness  all  the  while. 
Patience  is  a  most  remarkable  virtue. 

(b)  It  is  free  from  envy.  Those  who  love 
are  entirely  free  from  that  envy  which  is  en- 
gendered because  of  the  good,  or  the  success 
of  others. 

(c)  It  is  free  from  empty  boasting.  Love 
has  as  its  supreme  aim  the  doing  of  good  to  all 
and  does  not  seek  their  admiration  and  ap- 
plause. 

(d)  It  is  decorous,  well  behaved.  Love  is 
always  polite  and  mannerly.  It  knows  how 
to  behave  at  all  times. 

(e)  It  is  unselfish.  Love  is  always  seeking 
the  good  of  others  and  is  forgetful  of  self. 

107 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

(f )  Does  not  give  way  to  passion.  It  does 
not  allow  itself  to  be  aroused  to  resentment,  is 
not  quick  tempered. 

(g)  It  takes  no  delight  in  evil;  does  not  im- 
pute evil  motives  to  others;  is  not  suspicious; 
it  is  forgiving. 

(h)  It  takes  no  delight  in  evil.  It  has  no 
sympathy  with  it,  but  sympathizes  with  that 
which  is  true  and  has  a  common  joy  with  it. 
It  beareth  all  things,  that  is,  it  encases  itself 
with  its  own  mantle  and  shuts  all  evil  out. 

(i)   It  is  trustful,  hopeful  and  firm. 

3.  The  permanence  of  love  (w.  8-13). 
Prophecy,  as  prediction,  will  be  fulfilled; 
prophecy,  as  teaching,  will  be  brought  to  an 
end  in  the  day  when  teaching  is  not  needed. 
"And  they  shall  not  teach  every  man  his  neigh- 
bor, and  every  man  his  brother,  saying,  Know 
the  Lord :  for  all  shall  know  me,  from  the  least 
to  the  greatest"  (Heb.  8:11;  compare  Jer. 
31:34).  Tongues  shall  cease,  for  as  the  lan- 
guages of  earth  were  caused  by  God's  judg- 
ment for  sin,  so  shall  Christ's  redemption 
bring  the  nations  back  to  one  tongue.  Knowl- 

108 


SPIRITUAL    GIFTS 


edge  shall  be  done  away  with  by  the  coming 
of  a  wider  and  nobler  intelligence.  The  twi- 
light shall  be  lost  in  the  day.  Childhood  shall 
be  lost  in  maturity,  for  at  Christ's  coming  we 
shall  see  Him  face  to  face  and  be  like  Him. 
Love  will  always  abide,  for  God  is  love. 

V.  THE  COMPAEATIVE  VALUE  OF  PROPHECY  AND 

TONGUES.  CH.  14:1-25 
Prophecy  is  set  in  the  highest  place,  for  it 
is  to  declare  God's  will  to  men.  It  is  not  only 
to  declare  God's  message  to  men,  but  to  preach 
it  with  authority.  It  mainly  means  to  forth- 
tell.  It  was  the  gift  which  enabled  the  speaker 
to  bring  the  mind  of  the  hearer  into  touch  with 
God.  To  speak  with  tongues  meant  to  speak 
in  other  languages,  to  show  that  God  was  su- 
pernaturally  present  (v.  22).  Prophecy  is 
assigned  the  highest  place  because  it  is  to  de- 
clare God's  will  to  men,  to  warn  sinners  and 
to  edify  the  Church. 

VI.  RULES  FOR  GUIDANCE  IN  THE  EXERCISE  OF 

GIFTS  IN  THE  CHURCH.     CH.  14  :26-40 

1.  Everything  was  to  he  done  decently  and 
in  order  (v.  40).    Confusion  in  the  house  of 

109 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

God  is  never  right ;  some  praying,  some  speak- 
ing, some  singing,  some  vieing  with  each  other 
to  see  who  could  outdo,  is  a  reflection  upon 
God.  We  have  some  cases  similar  in  our  own 
time,  a  visit  to  which  would  suggest  that  bed- 
lam itself  had  broken  loose. 

(a)  With  regard  to  the  utterance  of 
tongues,  two,  and  at  most  three,  should  speak, 
and  that  in  succession,  while  one  interpreted. 
In  case  no  interpreter  was  present  they  should 
refrain  from  speaking. 

(b)  With  regard  to  prophesying,  only  two 
or  three  were  to  speak.  The  rest  were  to  sit 
in  judgment  upon  what  was  spoken.  Two 
were  not  to  speak  at  the  same  time.  Should 
one  receive  a  new  revelation,  he  did  not  dare 
to  interrupt  the  one  who  was  speaking.  The 
power  of  the  Spirit  upon  them  did  not  destroy 
their  power  of  self-control.  He  declares  that 
the  spirit  of  the  prophet  is  under  control  of  the 
prophet. 

2.  Everything  must  he  done  unto  the  edifi- 
cation of  all.  Wliere  there  was  not  intelligent 
speaking,  there  would  not  be  edification;  and 

110 


SPIRITUAL    GIFTS 


where  there  was  the  confusion  of  many  speak- 
ing at  the  same  time,  there  would  be  no  possi- 
bihty  of  understanding. 

3.  Wo7nen  forbidden  to  speak  in  the  public 
assembly  (w.  34,  35).  This  prohibition  rests 
upon  the  divine  estabhshment  of  woman's  sub- 
ordination to  man.  This,  no  doubt,  refers  to 
interruptions  in  the  assembly  and  assumption 
of  authority.  In  such  cases  women  were  abso- 
lutely prohibited  from  speaking.  This  should 
not  be  so  interpreted  as  to  prohibit  women 
from  taking  an  active  part  in  the  services  of 
the  Church.  Women  have  a  work  to  do  in  the 
Church  which  alone  can  be  done  by  them. 
Those  in  authority  in  the  Church  should  recog- 
nize her  place  and  authorize  her  to  go  forward 
in  her  work.  Man  is  woman's  divinely  ap- 
pointed head,  but  he  should  not  interfere  with 
her  work  in  the  Church,  that  is,  should  have 
enough  judgment  to  see  that  she  is  unhindered 
in  the  performance  of  her  mission.  Practical- 
ly in  our  modern  church  life,  the  only  places 
denied  the  women  are  that  of  pastor  and  ruling 
boards. 

Ill 


XI 

THE  RESURRECTION  OF  THE 
BODY 

Chapter  15 

There  were  some  in  the  Corinthian  church 
who  denied  the  resurrection  of  the  body.  The 
objectors  were  most  likely  Grecian  philosoph- 
ers. They  seemed  to  base  their  objections  upon 
the  assumption  that  a  material  organization 
was  unsuited  to  a  future  state.  Then,  too, 
their  minds  may  have  been  affected  by  the 
notion  that  matter  is  inherently  evil.  How- 
ever, the  very  presence  of  these  skeptics  has 
given  to  us  this  most  wonderful  apologetic  of 
the  resurrection  of  the  body.  Denial  of  the 
resurrection  of  the  body  is  a  most  deadly 
heresy.  Its  denial  robs  the  Christian  of  his 
most  inspiring  hope.  Christ's  death  and 
resurrection  are  most  closely  related.  His 
death  was  not  accidental,  neither  was  His  res- 
urrection imaginary.  Both  were  in  line  of  pre- 
diction. 

112 


THE    RESURRECTION    OF    THE    BODY 
I.    THE  CERTAINTY  OF  THE  RESURRECTION 

w.  1-22 

The  certainty  rests  upon  the  fact  of  Christ's 
resurrection  (vv.  20-22).  We  have  seen  in  a 
previous  chapter  that  the  Church  is  an  organ- 
ism, as  the  human  body,  with  Christ  at  its 
head.  If  Christ,  the  Head,  arose,  it  is  certain 
that  the  body  shall  arise  also,  for  just  as  Adam 
was  our  head  in  the  old  creation,  so  Christ  is 
our  Head  in  the  new  creation.  Death  came 
through  Adam,  but  life  came  through  Jesus 
Christ.  The  proof  of  the  resurrection  of  the 
body  must,  therefore,  be  the  proof  for  Christ's 
resurrection.  Christ's  resurrection  is  estab- 
lished by  the  following  arguments : 

1.  Positively,    w.  1-11. 

(a)  The  results  which  followed  Paul's 
preaching  (vv.  1,  2).  No  more  weighty  argu- 
ment could  be  urged  with  this  people,  or  with 
any  people.  The  most  powerful  testimony 
for  any  claim  is  the  result  in  the  lives  of  men, 
Paul  asserts  that  he  had  preached,  they  had 
received,  and  had  been  saved  by  a  gospel.  That 
gospel  was  that  Christ  died  for  our  sins,  was 

113 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

buried,  and  arose  again.  The  very  essence  of 
his  preaching  was  the  death  and  resurrection 
of  Christ.  This  they  beheved,  and  were  saved 
thereby,  leaving  no  room  whatever  for  them 
to  doubt  or  deny  it,  for  to  do  so,  was  to  go  back 
on  their  own  conscious  experience. 

(b)  The  declaration  of  the  Scriptures 
(w.  3,  4).  No  particular  passage  of  Scrip- 
ture is  cited,  since  the  whole  tenor  of  sacred 
writing,  from  Genesis  to  Malachi,  shows  that 
there  was  coming  a  deliverer  who  was  to  tri- 
umph through  suffering.  The  whole  testimony 
of  the  Scriptures  establishes  Christ's  resurrec- 
tion. Christ  rebuked  His  disciples  for  not  be- 
lieving what  Moses  and  the  prophets  had 
spoken  on  this  subject  (Luke  24:25-28;  see 
also  Psalm  16). 

(c)  The  attestation  of  a  large  company  of 
living  witnesses  (vv.  5-8).  After  His  resur- 
rection He  was  seen  by  Peter,  then  of  the 
twelve,  after  that  by  about  five  hundred  breth- 
ren at  once,  most  of  whom  were  still  living. 
Following  this  he  was  seen  by  James,  then  by 
all  of  the  apostles,  and  finally  by  Paul  him- 

114 


THE    RESURRECTION    OF     THE    BODY 

self.  Having  been  seen  by  so  many  different 
persons,  under  such  varying  circumstances, 
left  no  possible  room  for  deception.  The  most 
remarkable  of  these  appearances  was  to  Paul 
to  whom  it  would  be  least  expected.  He  was 
one  who  was  most  unwilling  to  beheve  and, 
furthermore,  of  a  mental  makeup  least  hkely 
to  be  led  away  from  reason  to  some  phantasy. 

(d)  The  transformation  of  Paul's  life  (w. 
9-11 ) .  He  was  a  strong,  resolute  man  bent  on 
the  destruction  of  the  Church.  While  in  the 
very  heat  of  this  relentless  warfare,  Jesus  ap- 
peared to  him.  This  vision  re-made  his  entire 
hfe,  changing  its  nature  and  its  course.  This 
fact  is  most  important  for  our  consideration. 
Mental  assent  to  a  doctrine,  while  denying  it  in 
the  life,  is  most  destructive.  Real  belief  in  the 
resurrection  of  Jesus  results  in  the  transforma- 
tion of  the  life. 

2.  Negatively.    Vv.  12-19. 

In  these  negative  considerations  the  position 
of  these  skeptics  is  placed  in  such  a  way  as  to 
show  its  absurdity.  He  uses  that  form  of  argu- 
ment called  reductio  ad  ahsurdum. 

115 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

(a)  Apostolic  preaching  void  (v.  14).  The 
resurrection  of  Christ  was  the  cardinal  truth, 
the  pivotal  point  of  Paul's  preaching.  If  the 
resurrection  of  Christ  be  not  a  fact,  then  his 
preaching  was  false. 

(b)  Christian  faith  unreal  (v.  14).  If 
Christ  did  not  arise,  their  faith  was  empty, 
unreal  and  groundless.  A  risen  and  living 
Savior  had  been  preached.  If,  therefore, 
Christ  were  still  in  His  grave,  they  were  de- 
ceived. 

(c)  The  apostles  would  be  liars  (v.  15). 
They  testified  that  God  had  raised  Christ  from 
the  dead.  If  He  arose  from  the  dead,  then 
resurrection  from  the  dead  is  possible. 

(d)  All  would  still  be  in  their  sins  (v.  17). 
Christ's  resurrection  was  the  proof  that  His 
mission  was  accomplished  (Romans  4:25).  If 
He  did  not  arise.  He  was  defeated;  sin  was 
uncancelled;  therefore,  our  guilt  still  attaches 
to  us ;  we  are  still  in  our  sins. 

(e)  Those  who  had  fallen  asleep  had  per- 
ished (v.  18).    If  such  be  true,  these  men  like 

116 


THE    RESURRECTION    OF     THE    BODY 

Stephen  were  deceived,  and  hope  for  them  is 
utterly  baseless.  If  such  monstrous  conclu- 
sions be  true,  Christians  are  most  to  be  pitied 
of  all  men.  To  deny  the  resurrection  of  Jesus 
is  to  prove  Christianity  a  delusion ;  but  he  can- 
not remain  to  deny  such  foolish  assertions.  The 
facts  were  such  as  to  sweep  away  such  asser- 
tions and  allow  faith  to  triumph. 

II.     THE  ORDER  IN   WHICH  THE  RESURRECTION 
WILL  TAKE  PLACE.    VV.  23-28 

1.  Christ,  the  first  fruits.  He  was  the  first 
to  arise  from  the  dead.  Before  Him  there  had 
been  none  to  come  forth  from  the  grave  as  He 
came.  In  some  cases,  at  His  command,  the 
spirit  returned  to  the  body,  but  it  was  the  same 
old  body  which  had  not  been  set  free  from  the 
power  of  corruption  and  limitations.  Christ's 
body  is  the  new,  incorruptible  body. 

2.  Those  that  are  Christ's  at  His  coming. 
The  resurrection  of  those  that  are  Christ's  oc- 
curs at  His  second  coming  (v.  23;  compare 
1  Thess.  4:16,  17).  This  is  a  graphic  picture 
of  that  time  when  Christ,  as  the  Captain  of  our 

117 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

salvation,  the  Deliverer  from  death,  will  be 
seen  leading  His  own,  who  follow,  in  ranks 
and  orders,  in  the  pathway  which  He  opened 
through  His  resurrection.  This  is  the  first 
resurrection,  and  takes  place  at  His  coming. 

3.  Then  all  the  rest  of  the  dead  at  the  end 
(v.  24).  Between  these  events  a  period  of  a 
thousand  years  intervenes,  which  will  be  the 
Millennial  Kingdom.  After  He  has  com- 
pleted the  work  for  which  He  came,  namely, 
the  bringing  of  all  things  under  the  rule  of 
God;  when  His  mediatorial  work  is  finished. 
He  will  hand  over  the  conquered  universe  to 
God  who  will  then  rule  forever.  When  this 
is  done,  Christ  will  resume  His  place  of  co- 
equality  with  the  Father. 

III.      REGENERATED    AND    TRANSFORMED    LIVES, 
THE  ATTESTATION  OF  THE  RISEN  LORD 

w.  29-34) 

Continuance  in  sin  is  evidence  that  one  is 

ignorant  of  the  true  God.    God  can  be  known 

only  as  men  surrender  to  Him  and  walk  in 

obedience  before  Hirn.    We  all  need  to  learn 

118 


THE    RESURRECTION    OF     THE    BODY 

that  we  can  make  God  known  to  others 
only  as  we  live  in  obedience  to  Him.  God  is 
not  made  known  to  others  by  argument.  Those 
who  are  called  His  children  certainly  should 
know  their  Father. 

IV.     THE  NATURE  OF  THE  RESURRECTION  BODY 

w.  35-58 

There  were  those  in  that  church  who  still 
raised  questions.  They  inquired,  "How  are 
the  dead  raised,  and  with  what  body  do  they 
come?"  If  the  dead  were  raised,  they  desired 
to  know  with  what  body  they  came  forth  from 
the  grave.  All  are  bound  to  concede  that 
great  mysteries  surround  this  matter,  but  even 
though  we  cannot  explain,  we  can  and  should 
believe;  since  God  has  promised  that  we  shall 
live  beyond  this  present  life,  we  can  rest 
assured  that  His  word  will  not  fail.  The  trum- 
pet of  God  will  sound  and  we  shall  be  raised 
incorruptible.  In  death  there  is  a  suspension 
of  the  personal  union  between  the  body  and 
soul,  and  the  body  is  resolved  into  its  chemical 
elements.  In  death,  then,  the  body  is  disor- 
ganized, the  house  thrown  down.    In  the  resur- 

119 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

rection  the  body  is  reorganized,  the  house  built 
up  again.  In  the  rebuilding  of  the  body,  such 
parts  and  functions  as  are  no  longer  needed 
are  left  out,  and  the  whole  is  organized  upon 
a  different  basis  adapted  to  the  heavenly  life. 
Whatever  changes  are  made,  the  identity  is  not 
lost.  If  the  doctrine  of  the  bodily  resurrection 
be  true,  we  shall  most  surely  recognize  each 
other  in  heaven.  The  apostle  teaches  that  the 
resurrection  body  will  be  an  incorruptible  one, 
not  again  subject  to  decay.  It  will  be  glori- 
ous— the  shame  and  dishonor  which  attaches 
to  our  bodies  here  will  be  removed  forever.  It 
will  be  powerful.  Here  we  are  weak,  but  there 
our  bodies  will  be  strong.  In  that  changed 
estate  our  bodies  will  be  spiritual.  Spiritual 
bodies,  however,  should  be  distinguished  from 
spirit;  spiritual  bodies  are  the  habitations  of 
the  spirit. 

V.     THE    PRACTICAL    EFFECT    OF    CERTAINTY    OF 
CONVICTION  TOUCHING  THE  RESUR- 
RECTION OF  THE  BODY 

1.  The  firm  establishment  of  the  believer  in 
his  internal  and  personal  life  (v.  58) .  "Where- 

120 


THE    RESURRECTION    OF     THE    BODY 

fore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast,  un- 
movable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  your  labor  is 
not  in  vain  in  the  Lord."  Certainty  of  convic- 
tion touching  our  risen  Christ  is  our  sure  de- 
fense against  the  assaults  on  faith.  Assurance 
of  life,  is  to  all  who  are  united  to  Him.  Christ 
is  the  head  of  a  new  and  victorious  order  of 
humanity. 

2.  Life  of  abounding  service  (v.  58) .  Belief 
in  Christ's  resurrection  nerves  men  for  con- 
quests in  the  name  of  Christ;  knowing  that 
their  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord,  they  go 
on  to  success. 

3.  Generosity  in  financial  support  (16:1,2). 
The  giving  of  our  means  for  the  support  of 
the  Lord's  work  is  to  be  done  in  the  hght  of 
the  lofty  truth  of  the  resurrection  of  Christ 
and  His  people.  Resurrection  is  the  inspira- 
tion for  this  work  of  unselfishness.  This  truth 
has  an  important  bearing  upon  church  life 
today.  In  the  measure  that  men  deny  this 
truth  they  become  parsimonious  with  their 
money.     Stinginess,  therefore,  is  a  denial  of 

121 


THE    CHURCH    AND    MODERN    PROBLEMS 

the  cardinal  truth  of  Christ's  resurrection. 
Loyalty  to  Christ  means  liberality  in  giving 
for  the  support  of  His  work. 

The  writer  begs  the  reader,  before  casting 
aside  this  little  book,  to  think  back  over  the 
problems  considered  and  apply  their  funda- 
mental teachings  to  the  changing  order  of 
things  through  which  the  Church  and  society 
are  passing. 

As  a  student  of  the  times  he  views  with  deep 
concern  the  chaos  of  the  religious  and  political 
world ;  he  is  filled  with  hope  as  to  the  issue,  for 
God  rules.  The  Church,  under  God,  can  do 
much  to  strengthen  and  develop  the  "things 
that  remain,"  if  she  will  emphasize  the  basic 
principles  considered  in  these  lectures.  His 
closing  exhortation  is:  "Watch  ye;  stand  fast 
in  the  faith ;  quit  you  like  men ;  be  strong.  Let 
all  that  ye  do  be  done  in  love" — "If  any  man 
loveth  not  the  Lord,  let  him  be  anathema. 
Maranatha.  The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  be  with  you.  My  love  be  with  you  all 
in  Christ  Jesus." 


132 


APPENDIX 

Outline  of  First  Corinthians 

INTRODUCTORY 

CoEiNTH.  In  Paul's  time  Corinth  was  the  largest  city  in 
Greece.  The  population  was  a  mixed  multitude.  Its 
religion  was  the  most  debased.  In  Acts  1:  1-18  an  ac- 
count is  given  of  the  founding  of  a  church  by  Paul  on 
his  second  missionary  journey. 

The  Occasion  of  the  Weiting  of  the  Epistle 

1.  Rival  factions  contending  against  each  other. 

2.  Failure  to  carry  out  church  discipline. 

3.  Litigation  among  church  members. 

4.  Indifference  to  the  gross  immorality  of  the  Corinth- 

ians. 

5.  Letter  requesting  information  on-^- 

a.  Marriage  and  divorce. 

b.  Food  connected  with  heathen  sacrifices  and  fes- 
tivals. 

c.  Spiritual  gifts. 

6.  Disorder  in  the  public  assembly. 

a.  Unseemly  behavior  of  women. 

b.  Abuse  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

7.  Denial  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 

OUTLINE 

A.  Gbeeting.     Ch.  1:   1-3. 

B.  Thanksgiving.    Ch.  1:  4-9. 

123 


THE  CHURCH  AND  MODERN  PROBLEMS 

C.  Chuech  Factions.     Ch.  1:   10-4:  21, 
I.    The  fact  stated  (1:  10-12). 

II.     The  problem  considered   (1:    13-4:    5). 

Proposition  1.  Factions  caused  by  an  improper  con- 
ception of  the  Headship  of  Christ. 

Proposition  2.  Factions  caused  by  a  false  conception 
of  the  Gospel  (1:  17-25). 

Proposition  3.  Factions  caused  by  an  improper  con- 
ception of  the  constituent  elements  of  which  the 
Church  is  composed  (1:  26-31). 

Proposition  4.  Factions  caused  by  failure  to  appre- 
hend that  the  apostle's  ministry  was  not  in 
words  of  human  wisdom  but  in  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  (2:  1-16). 

Proposition  5.  Factions  caused  by  a  false  conception 
of  the  Christian  ministry  (3:   1-4:   5). 

a.  Servants  of  God  (3:  5,  6), 

b.  They  are  one — equal  in  rank — same  message 

— same  object  (3:  8,  9). 

c.  Every  minister  must  answer  to  God  for  his 

work  (3:   10-21). 

d.  Ministers  are  the  property  of  the  Church — 

not  the  Church  property  of  the  ministers 
(3:   22,  23). 

e.  Ministers  are  God's  stewards.    (4:1-5). 
III.     Conclusion   (4:   6-21). 

1.  Sharp  rebuke  (4:  7-13). 

2.  Father's  entreaty  (4:  14-17). 

3.  Appeal  to  apostolic  authority  (4:  18-21). 

D.  Chxtbch  Discipline.     Ch.  5. 
I.    The  occasion. 

1.  The  church  of  Corinth  was  guilty  of  tolerating  a 
man  within  her  communion  who  was  guilty  of  incest 
— an  immorality  to  which  licentious  Corinth  was  a 
stranger. 

134 


APPENDIX 


2.    The    church    even    gloried    in    this    rather    than 
mourned  (V.  2). 
II.    The  authority  of  the  Church  to  discipline  her  members. 

1.  Everybody  has  the  inherent  right  to  pass  judg- 
ment upon  her  members,  to  decide  who  shall  be  mem- 
bers and  how  they  shall  behave. 

2.  Apostolic  command  and  precedent  (V.  4). 

III.  The  necessity  for  church  discipline  (VV.  4-6). 

1.  To  save  the  individual  (VV.  4  and  5). 

2.  To  keep  the  church  pure  (V.  6). 

IV.  The  grounds  upon  which  church  discipline  is  to  be  ad- 

ministered (VV.  9-11). 

1.  Licentiousness  (V.  9). 

2.  Covetousness    (V.   10). 

3.  Extortion   (V.  10). 

4.  Idolatry   (V.  10). 

5.  Raillery  (V.  11). 

6.  Drunkenness    (V.  11). 

V.  The  salutary  effects  of  Church  discipline. 

1.  Upon  the  person  disciplined  (2  Cor.  2:  6,  7). 

2.  Upon  the  church  herself. 

E.     Litigation  Among  Chubch  Members.     Ch.  6:   1-11. 
L    The  scandal  of  it  (V.  1). 

1.  It  is  treason  against  Christian  brotherhood. 

2.  It  insults  the  dignity  of  the  Church. 

3.  It  reproaches  Jesus  Christ. 

4.  It  outrages  the  dignity  of  the  Gospel. 

5.  It  dishonors  God.    Of  Him  are  we  joined  to  Christ. 
IL    The  absurdity  of  it  (W.2  and  3). 

1.  It  is  unprofitable. 

2.  It  mars  brotherly  feeling. 

3.  It  is  incongruous  to  the  Christian's  calling  and 

dignity. 


125 


THE  CHURCH  AND  MODERN  PROBLEMS 

a.  The  Christian  called  out  of  the  world  to  be  a 

light  unto  it. 

b.  The  saints  shall  judge  the  world,- 

c.  The  saints  shall  judge  angels. 

III.  The  remedy  for  it  (VV.  5-7). 

1.  Arbitration  (V.  5). 

2.  Suffer  loss  (V.  7). 

IV.  The  penalty  of  it  (W.  8-10). 

F.  The  Chbistian's  Estimate  of  His  Body.     Ch.  6:  12-20. 

1.  Lawful  things  may  not  be  expedient. 

2.  Lawful  things  must  not  gain  the  mastery. 
I,    The  body  is  for  the  Lord  ( W.  13  and  19) . 

II.    The  body  will  be  resurrected  (V.  14). 
IIL    The  Christian's  body  is  a  member  of  Christ  (V.  15). 
IV.    The  Christian's  body  is  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit  (V. 
19). 
V.    The  Christian's  body  is  redeemed  (V.  20). 
VI.     The  Christian's  body  is  intended  for  God's  glory.     (V. 
20). 

G.  Maebiage — Advice  to  the  Married  and  to  the  Unmar- 

ried.    Ch.  7. 
I.     Instruction  chiefly  to  the  married   (VV.  1-24). 

1.  God  intended  that  men  and  women  should  marry 

(V.  4). 

2.  God's  purpose  is  monogamy   (V.  2). 

3.  Mutual  relationship  of  husband  and  wife  (VV,  3 

and  4).    Compare  1  Peter  3tl-7. 
(1.)     Ideal  husband   (V.  7). 

a.  Reasonableness.    "Dwell  according  to  knowl- 

edge." 

b.  Reverence.      "Giving    honor    as    unto    the 

weaker  vessel." 

c.  Conduct  conformable  to  prayer.    "Prayers  be 

not  hindered." 

126 


APPENDIX 


(2.)     Ideal  wife  (VV.  1-6). 

a.  Subject  to  her  husband  (V.  1). 

b.  Purity  (V.  2).    "Chaste  conversation." 

c.  Modesty  (V.  4).     "Meek  and  quiet  spirit." 

4.  No  separation  allowed  (VV.  5-17). 

5.  Be  not  anxious  to  change  your  position  (VV.  18-24). 
II.     Instruction  chiefly  to  the  unmarried   (VV.  25-40). 

1.  Good  for  "present  distress"  to  remain  single  (VV. 

25-27). 

2.  Marriage  is  not  sinful  (VV.  28-35). 

3.  Advice  to  fathers  as  to  their  virgin  daughters 

(VV.   36-38). 

4.  Marriage  contract  annulled  by  death  (V.  39). 

5.  Marriage  should  only  be  "in  the  Lord"  (V.  39). 
Successful  marriages  are  made  on  the  basis  of  a  three- 
fold affinity: 

a.  Physical. 

b.  Mental. 

c.  Spiritual. 

H.    Chbistian  Liberty  and  Fobbeaeance,    Ch.  8-10. 
I.    An  idol  is  nothing  (8:1-6). 

II.    Not  all  Christians  have  maturity  of  discernment  (8: 
7.8). 

III.  The  Christian's  behavior  in  such  cases  (8:9-13). 

IV.  The  teaching  exemplified  in  Paul's  life  (9). 
V.    Warnings  (10:1-22). 

1.  From  experience  of  the  Israelites  in  the  wilder- 

ness (W.  1-13). 

2.  From  danger  of  lapsing  into  idolatry  (VV.  14-22). 
VL     The  teaching  applied  (10:23-11:1). 

1.  The  Christian  can  indulge  only  in  "lawful  things" 

as  they  are  expedient  and  unto  edification   (V. 
23). 

2.  "Let  no  man  seek  his  own,  but  each  his  neighbor's 

good"  (V.  24). 

127 


THE  CHURCH  AND  MODERN  PROBLEMS 

3.  "Whether  therefore  ye  eat  or  drink,  or  whatever 

ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God." 

4.  Give  no  occasion  for  anyone  to  stumble  (V.  32). 

I.    Proper  Decorum  in  the  Public  Assembly.    Ch.  11. 

I.    Woman's  place  and  behavior  in  the  public  assembly 
(VV.  2-16). 

1.  The  divine  order   in   the   scheme   of   redemption 

(VV.  3-5). 

2.  From  moral  propriety  (VV.  6-9). 

3.  From  the  example  of  the  angels  (V.  10). 

Note:     Corrective  against  the  undue  deprecia- 
tion of  woman  (VV.  11,  12). 

4.  From  man's  intuitive  judgment  (V.  13). 

5.  From  nature  (VV.  14,  15). 

Woman's    unalterable    physical    characteristics 
indicate  her  sphere. 

a.  Her  mental  characteristics  indicate  her  sphere, 

b.  Her  physical  frame  is  lighter — texture  of  her 

body  finer — indicating  that  she  was  not  made 
for  the  rougher  life. 

c.  Her  long  hair.  Nature  gave  her  long  hair  while 

it  gave  to  the  man  short  hair. 

6.  From  apostolic  authority  (V.  16). 

II.    The  Proper  Observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper   (VV. 

17-34). 
Note  the  abuses  censured: 

1.  The  Supper  was  degraded  to  the  level  of  a  com- 

mon meal; 

2.  Divisions  were  in  evidence  (V.  18). 

Touching  this  unifying  ordinance,  observe: 

1.  It  was  instituted  by  the  Lord  Himself  and  given 

to  Paul  (V.  23). 

2.  Its  design: 

128 


APPENDIX 


a.  A  memorial  of  the  sacrificial  death  of  Christ 

(V.  25). 

b.  A  present  participation  in  the  living  Christ 

c.  A  prophecy  of  Christ's  Coming  again  (V.  26). 

3.  Self-examination  should  precede  participation  in  it 

(V.  28). 

4.  Ignorant  or  wilful  abuse  of  this  institution  ex- 

poses one  to  the  judgment  of  God  (VV.  27,  29). 
J.     Spieitual  Gifts.     Ch.  12-14. 

I.    The  infallible  criterion  (12:1-3). 
11.    The  diversity  of  spiritual  gifts  (12:4-11). 

III.  The  unity  of  the  spirit's  gifts  (12:12-31). 

IV.  Love  is  better  than  the  most  extraordinary  gifts  (13). 

1.  The  pre-eminence  of  love  (VV.  1-3). 

2.  The  attributes  of  love  (VV.  4-7). 

3.  The  permanency  of  love  (VV.  8-13). 

V.    The  comparative  values  of  prophecy  and  tongues 

(14:1-25). 
VI.    Rules  for  guidance  in  the  exercise  of  gifts  in  the 
Church  (14:26-40). 

1.  Everything  must  be  done  "decently  and  in  order" 

(V.  40). 

a.  With  regard  to  the  utterance  of  tongues,  two, 

and  at  most,  three  should  speak;  and  that  in 
succession,  while  one  interpreted; 

b.  With  regard  to  prophesying,  only  two  or  three 

were  to  speak,  the  rest  were  to  sit  in  judg- 
ment upon  what  was  spoken.  Two  were  not 
to  speak  at  the  same  time. 

2.  Everything  must  be  done  unto  edification  of  all. 

3.  Women  forbidden  to  speak  in  public  assembly  ( W. 

34  and  35). 
K.    The  Resubbection  of  the  Body.    Ch.  15. 

I.    The  certainty  of  the  resurrection  (VV.  1-22). 


1S9 


1    1012  01251    1194 

THE  CHURCH  AND  MODERN  PROBLEMS 

Christ's  resurrection  established  by  the  following 
arguments'; 

a.  Positively'  (VV.  1-11). 

1.  Results  which  followed  Paul's  preaching  (VV. 

1,  2). 

2.  Declarations  of  the  Scripture  (VV.  3,  4). 

3.  Attestation  of  a  large   company   of  witnesses 

(VV.  5-8). 

4.  Transformation  of  Paul's  life  (VV.  9-11). 

b.  Negatively  (V.  12-19). 

In  this  connection  he  aims  to  show  the  absurdity 
of  the  skeptics'  position. 

1.  Apostolic  preaching  void  (V.  14). 

2.  Christian  faith  unreal  (V.  14). 

3.  Apostles  would  be  liars  (V.  15). 

4.  All  would  still  be  in  their  sins  (V.  17). 

5.  Those  fallen  asleep  had  perished  (V.  18). 

II.    The  order  in  which  the  resurrection  will  take  place 
(VV.  23-28). 

1.  Christ  the  first  fruits  (V.  23). 

2.  Those  that  are  Christ's  at  His   coming   (V.   23). 

Compare  1  Thess.  4:16,  17. 

3.  Then  all  the  rest  of  the  dead  at  the  end  (V.  24). 

III.  The  nature  of  the  resurrection  body  (VV.  35-58). 

The  resurrection  body  will  bei: 

1.  Incorruptible  (V.  42). 

2.  Glorious  (V.  43). 

3.  Powerful  (V.  43). 

4.  Spiritual  (V.  44). 

IV.  The  practical  effect  of  certainty  of  conviction  as  to 

the  resurrection  of  the  body. 

1.  Internal  and  personal  life  firmly  established   (V. 

58). 

2.  Life  of  service  (V.  58). 

3.  Generosity  in  financial  support  (16:  1,  2). 

130 


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